Three Charged Over Threats In Mississippi Nolan Wells Death Investigation
Three people were charged in July in Mississippi with making threats tied to the investigation into the death of Nolan Wells, including threats against a judge, a witness and court officials.[1]
Edward James Porter of Illinois was charged July 31 in federal court in Mississippi.[1] Authorities say he threatened to kill a witness and family members tied to the Nolan Wells investigation, including a member of the Bart Edminston Jr. family.[1] Ohio resident Michelle Francine Edwards allegedly called the George County Chancery Clerk's Office at least 21 times and made bomb threats, also targeting the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.[1] California resident Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce was charged July 14 over a Facebook message to Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole.[1] Authorities say the message threatened to mail a bomb to her office.[1]
Judge Ashlee Cole has said her son last saw Nolan Wells on July 4 around 3 p.m. and cooperated with the sheriff's investigation.[1] Cole said she deactivated her Facebook account citing safety concerns.[1] Authorities say none of the three defendants appear to know Wells, his family, or the boating group and that the threats arose amid widespread speculation and distrust surrounding the still-unsolved case.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On July 31, 2026, Edward James Porter of Illinois was charged in federal court in Mississippi with threatening to kill a witness and family members tied to the Nolan Wells investigation, including a member of the Bart Edminston Jr. family.
- On July 23, 2026, Ohio resident Michelle Francine Edwards allegedly called the George County Chancery Clerk's Office at least 21 times and made bomb threats, also targeting the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
- On July 14, 2026, California resident Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce was charged for a Facebook message to Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole that authorities say threatened to mail a bomb to her office.
- Judge Ashlee Cole has publicly stated that her son last saw Nolan Wells on July 4 around 3 p.m. and cooperated with the sheriff's investigation, and she deactivated her Facebook account citing safety concerns.
- Authorities say none of the three defendants appear to know Wells, his family, or the boating group and that the threats arose amid widespread speculation and distrust surrounding the still-unsolved case.
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