Three Arrested After Alleged Threats Against Witnesses In Nolan Wells Case
Three people are facing federal charges after investigators say they carried out a campaign of violent threats aimed at witnesses and their families connected to the ongoing investigation into the death of Nolan Wells.
According to federal court records obtained by WWL and originally reported by the Sun Herald, prosecutors allege the defendants attempted to intimidate witnesses through death threats, bomb threats and graphic messages in an effort to interfere with an active state investigation.
Prosecutors Allege Witnesses Were Terrorized
Federal authorities say Edward James Porter is accused of repeatedly threatening two witnesses on July 31.
According to a federal criminal complaint, Porter allegedly called one witness numerous times over the course of roughly two hours, threatening to kill both the witness and the witness's family. Investigators also allege he texted the witness's home address before claiming he was outside the residence and intended to carry out the threats.
Court documents further allege Porter contacted a second witness and threatened to kill everyone inside the home, including any police officers who responded. Investigators say he also threatened to dismember the witness and place the body inside a suitcase.
Authorities believe Porter used a newly created TextFree account to make the threats before investigators traced the account back to him through subscriber information and digital records.
Witness Tampering Charge Filed Against Second Defendant
A federal grand jury also indicted 27-year-old Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce on one count of witness tampering.
According to the indictment, Dumarce allegedly used interstate communications to threaten a witness in an attempt to influence, delay or prevent testimony in an official proceeding.
The Sun Herald reports FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigators linked Dumarce to a Facebook account identified as "yaeyae962," which allegedly sent threatening messages to witness Ashlee Cole.
Court records allege the messages referenced Cole's children, claimed a bomb would be sent to her workplace and warned that "not even the FBI can stop this." Additional messages allegedly threatened violence against her children and included graphic language.
Investigators say they identified Dumarce through IP addresses, email accounts, a phone number and other digital evidence connected to the Facebook account.
Bomb Threat Allegations Lead To Third Federal Case
The third defendant, Michelle Francine Edwards, faces charges related to a series of alleged bomb threats made on July 23.
According to federal investigators, Edwards allegedly called the George County Chancery Clerk's Office approximately 21 times in about eight minutes using a blocked phone number. During the calls, investigators say she repeatedly warned employees not to leave the building and told them, "The clock is ticking."
Authorities also allege Edwards made several calls to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office claiming a bomb had been placed outside the building. Deputies responded by locking down the office and conducting a bomb sweep.
Federal investigators say emergency telecommunications requests, Cash App records, text messages and cellphone location data helped identify Edwards as the alleged caller.
Arrests Come Amid Growing Online Harassment
The federal charges come just days after another Mississippi family announced plans to pursue defamation lawsuits after online speculation falsely linked their son to Nolan Wells' death.
Attorney Russell Latino said the family sought legal assistance after receiving what he described as a credible death threat. He also said the FBI, Mississippi Attorney General's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office and local law enforcement had all been contacted regarding the alleged threats and online activity.
According to WWL Louisiana, the attorney was contacted for comment regarding whether the recent federal arrests were connected to those allegations but had not responded as of the station's report.
The investigation surrounding Nolan Wells' death remains ongoing.
