RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Bostic man was arrested Saturday, accused of threatening federal employees who were helping victims of Hurricane Helene in the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area.
William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic, was charged with going armed to the terror of the public shortly after the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a man threatening Federal Emergency Management Agency workers, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Deputies went to Polk County, where the threats were made, and got more information, including a description of the vehicle the suspect was driving. They passed that information on to law enforcement agencies in the area.
About an hour later, they received more information about the vehicle, which helped them identify the suspect.
Parsons had a handgun and rifle when he was arrested. He was released from the Rutherford County Detention Center that night after posting a $10,000 bond.
The initial report said there was a truckload of militia involved.
“However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone,” the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office statement said.
Last week, Congressman Chuck Edwards issued a statement about what he called “outlandish rumors being spread online about Hurricane Helene response and recovery.”
“Western North Carolina does not have the time or resources to spend falsifying information or making threats toward FEMA. This unhelpful, unnecessary use of time is only hurting our neighbors, friends, and family. It must stop,” he said.
“The reality is: These conspiracy theories, while certainly frustrating, have done more harm than most people may realize. The spreading of falsehoods has diverted state, local, and federal resources. Our priority MUST be unified on the recovery and repair of Western North Carolina’s mountains, businesses, families and homes.”