Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Joshua Raymond Snavely, 40, was arrested yesterday for shoplifting and making a false threat to bomb the Tampa airport; he was released from jail the previous evening after serving a five-month sentence for doing the same thing in March.

On March 17, Snavely was arrested at the Circle K at 5200 NE Waldo Road, where he stole about $15 in merchandise, told the cashier to call law enforcement if she wanted to, and sat down to wait for an officer. When an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived, Snavely said he had placed an explosive in Terminal 1 inside the Tampa airport and said the explosive was set to detonate. The Hillsborough County and Pinellas County bomb squads were notified and performed a thorough search of the Clearwater and Tampa airports, but no explosives were found.

On April 21, Snavely entered a plea of nolo contendere to petit theft and making a false bomb threat and was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for 36 days served. Late last night, after less than five months in jail, he was released. We have reached out to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for an explanation of their gain time policies but have not yet received a response.

At about 2:10 p.m. on August 12, Snavely allegedly took three Snickers bars from the CVS at 3904 NW 13th Street and told the manager he was going to steal the items and she should call the police; he allegedly said he would continue stealing until the police arrived, left the store, and sat down outside the exit. The manager called 911, and a Gainesville Police Department officer arrived at 2:17 p.m.

The officer reported that he saw three Snickers wrappers on the ground next to Snavely, and when he tried to speak with Snavely, Snavely said he had placed a bomb in Terminal 1 of the Tampa airport and would not say anything else.

Post Miranda, Snavely reportedly refused to acknowledge that he understood his rights.

Based on Snavely’s recent release from jail, his identical report of placing an explosive on March 17, and his apparent lack of transportation to and from Tampa, authorities in Tampa were notified about the threat, but it was determined that Snavely’s threat was false.

Snavely, whose listed address is in Ocala, has been charged with petit retail theft and making a false report about planting a bomb. He has two felony convictions (non-violent) and one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $90,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.