Florida Capitol

A Tallahassee man who was arrested in January for plotting to violently confront would-be protesters at the Florida Capitol was found guilty Thursday on federal charges.

After nearly 14 months of being closed to the public, the Florida Capitol will reopen this week ahead of a special legislative session on gambling.

The Florida Capitol is expected to remain largely closed to the public for the rest of the legislative session because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as lawmakers get more comfortable meeting face to face.

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Daniel A. Baker of Tallahassee. He is charged with two counts related to threats against anticipated protesters at the Florida Capitol following last month's insurrection in Washington, DC.

A federal magistrate judge on Monday ordered a Tallahassee man accused of plotting to “violently confront” potential protesters at the Florida Capitol this month to be kept in jail until his trial.

A federal magistrate judge did not rule Thursday on whether a Tallahassee man accused of plotting to “violently confront” potential protesters at the Florida Capitol over the weekend will remain in jail until trial. An attorney for Daniel Baker asked for pretrial release.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says no explosives have been found, but in an abundance of caution, the agency has closed the capitol complex until 9 a.m.

If there's no response from Governor DeSantis, Mayor John Dailey says local law enforcement will do what it can to maintain order.

State and local law enforcement agencies in Tallahassee are bracing for potential protests at the Florida Capitol this weekend and early next week, although officials say there are no specific threats right now.

Gov. Ron DeSantis warned Tuesday that law enforcement “reinforcements” will be on hand if anyone plans to participate in armed protests at the Florida Capitol.