A North Caolina man has been arrested and charged with allegedly threatening to do harm to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers.
The sheriff’s office in Rutherford County, North Carolina, announced Monday the arrest of William Parsons, 44, of Bostic for “going armed to the terror of the public,” per ABC News.
According to the statement, deputies started investigating reports on Saturday that a “white male had an assault rifle and made the comment about possibly harming FEMA employees” working in the areas of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.
Through the help of witnesses, law enforcement found Parsons, who was armed with a handgun and a rifle, according to the statement.
Parsons was released Saturday after posting $10,000 bond, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
“The initial report stated there was a truckload of militia that was involved. However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truckloads of militia going to Lake Lure,” the statement read.
News of the arrest came a day after the sheriff in Ashe County, North Carolina, posted on Facebook that there had been threats against FEMA employees responding to Hurricane Helene.
“Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them,” Ashe County Sheriff Phil Howell wrote regarding the alleged threats against FEMA employees.
“This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties,” Howell wrote. “Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats.”
Threats to FEMA employees have been ongoing during the response in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, along with misinformation, federal authorities said.
Disaster rsurvivor assistance teams are currently at fixed locations in secure areas instead of going door to door. This is out of an abundance of caution, a source said.
FEMA will continue monitor threat information and make adjustments as needed.
