Arrest made amid security threats prompting FEMA contractors to ‘stand down’
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - 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 a pause in some FEMA operations around western North Carolina.
William Jacob Parsons, 44, from Bostic was arrested after dispatchers were told a white male holding an assault rifle and making comments about harming FEMA employees.
Parsons has been released on a $10,000 secured bond; deputies said he was armed with a handgun and arifle.
An inspection agency that works as a contractor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency ordered its employees in western North Carolina to cease inspections over the weekend and return to hotels, WBTV confirmed late Sunday night.
Sunday evening, the Washington Post first reported messages about reports of threats to FEMA-affiliated workers in Rutherford County. WBTV has independently confirmed that reporting with sources with direct knowledge of the threats.
The news comes after FEMA workers across Hurricane Helene’s disaster zone in western North Carolina have been targeted with misinformation and rumors about the federal government’s recovery operations in the area.
Messages that WBTV has reviewed, sent to employees of a contracting agency that works with FEMA for inspections, appear to show an impact area across western North Carolina.
“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 standdown throughout Monday until further notice. Vanguard was not immediately available for comment.
In a press release, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said reports of militia units were unfounded and that Parsons is accused of acting alone.
Earlier Sunday morning in a Facebook post, the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged threats to FEMA employees and contractors in western North Carolina 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.”
Also on Sunday, a spokesperson for FEMA acknowledged some “operational adjustments” for safety issues in western North Carolina but did not confirm any threats.
“FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance,” a spokesperson wrote.
“For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors continue to register for assistance, and we continue to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery.”
Copyright 2024 WBTV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
