RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man and charged him with going armed to the terror of the public after security threats prompted an operational adjustment in some FEMA operations around western North Carolina, Charlotte CBS affiliate, WBTV reports.
William Jacob Parsons, 44, from Bostic, was arrested after dispatchers were told about a man holding an assault rifle and making comments about harming FEMA employees, Rutherford Co. Sheriff's Office says.
Parsons has been released on a $10,000 secured bond; deputies said he was armed with a handgun and a rifle, according to the Rutherford Co. Sheriff's Office.
A deputy went to the location where the threat was made, which was in Polk County, and discovered the color of the vehicle Parsons was driving and informed law enforcement agencies working. An hour later, the vehicle's tag was identified, which is how they identified Parsons, according to the sheriff's office.
According to WBTV's report, an inspection agency that works as a contractor for FEMA ordered its employees in western NC to cease inspections over the weekend and return to hotels, confirmed late Sunday night.
WBTV obtained messages sent to employees of a contracting agency that works with FEMA for inspections, which appear to show an impact area across western NC.
“Effective immediately, disaster-wide -- cease inspections today and return to your hotels,” an alert from Vanguard Inspection Services read on Saturday. “FEMA received news that the Title 10 (active military unit deployed to NC) came across some trucks of militia units who said they were out hunting FEMA personnel.”
Late Sunday evening, a second message from the company told employees to continue their pause throughout Monday until further notice.
The Rutherford Co. Sheriff's Office said in a press release that reports of militia units were unfounded and that Parsons is accused of acting alone.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Ashe Co. Sheriff's Office acknowledged the threats to FEMA employees and contractors in western NC but said there had been no reports in Ashe County.
“We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County,” Sheriff B. Phil Howell wrote. “As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats.”
This investigation is ongoing.
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