North Carolina Man Threatens FEMA Workers With Truck Loads of Armed Militia Members!
Armed and dangerous: A North Carolina man threatens FEMA workers, sparking fears of a militia invasion—what really happened? 🌐 #News #RutherfordCountyNC #NorthCarolina #Crime
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC – Tensions escalated in North Carolina as emergency workers, still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, faced a chilling threat. Rumors spread quickly that “truck loads” of militia members were on the move to confront Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers helping with relief efforts. Although those fears were later dispelled, one man with weapons in hand did make good on the threat.
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44-year-old William Jacob Parsons after he allegedly threatened to harm FEMA employees working in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas. While early reports suggested a militia was involved, investigators ultimately found Parsons to be acting alone.
Fears of Militia Confrontation Gripped the Region
At around 12:54 p.m. on Saturday, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office received alarming reports of a white male, armed with an assault rifle, making threatening remarks about potentially harming FEMA workers in the area. Authorities quickly responded to the call, fueled by fears that a large group of militia members was preparing to descend on the region.
As law enforcement investigated the claim, they worked to identify the suspect’s vehicle. About an hour later, deputies were able to gather license plate information, leading them to Parsons, who was arrested armed with both a handgun and a rifle.
Militia Rumors Quickly Debunked
What began as a potentially dangerous militia situation turned out to be the actions of one man. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement following the arrest, saying, “The initial report stated there was a truck load of militia that was involved. However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truck loads of militia going to Lake Lure.”
This clarification helped calm the local community, which had been on edge following the earlier rumors.
Charges and Legal Consequences
Parsons has been charged with “going armed to the terror of the public,” a serious charge reflecting the gravity of the threat he posed to both FEMA workers and the public. After his arrest, Parsons was taken to the Rutherford County Detention Center, where he was released after posting a $10,000 bond.
While the threat of a militia attack has been ruled out, authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of those working on disaster recovery in the region.
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