James Jamal Curry, Biological Weapons Hoax, Florida 2020

Biological Threats Rock St. Petersburg: Defendant Faces Up to Five Years Behind Bars

Tampa, Florida – In a disturbing display of disregard for public health and safety, 31-year-old James Jamal Curry has been charged in a federal complaint with perpetrating a biological weapons hoax. This egregious act puts our community at risk of unnecessary harm and chaos.

The charges against Curry stem from two separate incidents on March 27 and March 28, 2020, when officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to a domestic violence call involving Curry. During both arrests, Curry turned to the officers and claimed to be infected with the Coronavirus, coughing on one officer’s arm on the first occasion and spitting on an arresting officer multiple times on the second.

Not only did Curry’s actions cause physical distress to the officers, but they also created unnecessary fear and anxiety within the community. The COVID-19 pandemic was still in its early stages, and such reckless behavior only served to exacerbate tensions and undermine public trust in law enforcement.

An investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the St. Petersburg Police Department, the Florida Department of Health, the State Attorney’s Office (Sixth Judicial Circuit), and the Pinellas County Jail, revealed that Curry tested negative for COVID-19 and showed no symptoms of the virus. Despite this, Curry’s actions were deemed to be a biological weapons hoax, a federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The case against Curry serves as a stark reminder of the importance of public health and safety during times of crisis. We must prioritize the well-being of our community and hold individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they put others at risk.

Curry is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it is the duty of the court to determine the merits of the case. However, one thing is certain: Curry’s actions have had a profound impact on our community, and we must work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray, and we look forward to seeing justice served.

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