A North Carolina man has been arrested after allegedly threatening harm to FEMA employees working in response to Hurricane Helene. William Jacob Parsons, 44, was taken into custody over the weekend and charged with Going Armed to the Terror of the Public, a misdemeanor, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
Parsons was reportedly armed with a handgun and a rifle when he made threats against FEMA workers aiding the recovery efforts in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas. Investigators located Parsons after receiving information about his vehicle’s color and license plate. He was arrested outside a grocery store functioning as a storm relief site. Parsons was released on a $10,000 secured bond, and it remains unclear if he has legal representation, told NBC News.
The alleged threats temporarily halted aid in parts of North Carolina as FEMA paused operations to assess the situation and protect staff. Reports of armed militia threatening FEMA workers, as confirmed by National Guard troops, led to the decision to suspend door-to-door outreach. Though these threats were initially thought to be widespread, authorities later confirmed that Parsons acted alone, and no militia was involved.
FEMA resumed operations after a brief pause, ensuring that responders could safely continue their work. “The threat was more limited than initially reported and mitigated by law enforcement,” the agency stated. Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the alleged militia presence was based on misinformation.
Hurricane Helene has devastated parts of North Carolina, causing deadly flooding and landslides that resulted in over 100 deaths and widespread damage. FEMA has deployed more than 1,200 staff to the region, working alongside Urban Search and Rescue teams that have rescued or assisted over 3,200 survivors.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the need to combat misinformation, which has contributed to threats against response workers. “The safety of responders must be a priority,” Cooper said in a statement, as local and federal authorities continue to collaborate on ensuring the protection of FEMA personnel.
Misinformation about federal responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton has hampered relief efforts, leading President Joe Biden to request a review of the government’s digital response to these events. FEMA continues to monitor potential threats and adjust safety measures to ensure aid reaches those in need efficiently.