Three people charged with threatening judge, witness and officials tied to Nolan Wells investigation
Three People Charged With Threatening Nolan Wells Investigation Figures
Goldlaner.com – Three people charged with threatening officials and witnesses connected to the Nolan Wells investigation have been named in federal court filings. Mississippi authorities announced the charges against three individuals who allegedly made threats ranging from bomb threats to violent threats against people involved in the case.
Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old Black teenager, was found dead after a July Fourth boating trip to a Mississippi Gulf Coast island. He traveled with white high school friends and did not return to the mainland that evening. His body was recovered two days later from waters near the island.
Who Are the Three Defendants?
Edward James Porter of Illinois faces federal charges in the Southern District of Mississippi for threats made on July 31. Court documents show Porter contacted an unnamed witness and threatened to kill both the witness and their family members. He also allegedly told someone in Mississippi he would cut the person up and place them inside a suitcase.
Porter targeted two members of Bart Edminston Jr.’s family. Edminston, a 21-year-old, helped the boating group on July Fourth. Family attorney Russell Latino confirmed one threatened family member serves as a witness in the Wells investigation.
Michelle Francine Edwards of Ohio was charged on July 23 for placing bomb threats at two government offices. Court affidavits indicate Edwards called the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office 21 times, repeatedly stating that “the clock is ticking.” She also targeted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with similar threats.
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce of California was charged on July 14 for sending a threatening Facebook message to a Jackson County Chancery Court judge. A Facebook user believed to be Dumarce sent a message to the judge’s account threatening that a bomb would be mailed to the judge’s office.
Judge’s Response and Family Concerns
Judge Ashlee Cole, who received the Facebook threat from Dumarce, has been vocal about her concerns. She posted a screenshot of the threatening message on Facebook on July 9. In an earlier post, Cole explained that her son last saw Wells on July Fourth around 3 p.m. and chose to remain on the island before returning inland later with another group of friends.
Cole wrote that she deactivated her Facebook and that she fears for the safety of her children.
“No one in our family is trying in any way to impede with the investigation by law enforcement or to otherwise hamper the family and law enforcement’s quest for answers,” Cole wrote, adding that her son “cooperated fully” with the sheriff’s investigation.
Investigation Update and Next Steps
The threats against these individuals emerged during a period of intense public scrutiny regarding the Wells investigation. Several factors have contributed to heightened attention, including uncertainty about the teenager’s final hours, widespread distrust of law enforcement, and Mississippi’s extensive history of racial violence.
Wells’ family commissioned an independent autopsy, which determined the cause of death to be “undetermined” pending additional investigation. Authorities have not yet made any arrests or identified suspects in connection with the teenager’s death.
Attempts to contact the three defendants for comment have been unsuccessful. Phone numbers listed for some defendants in affidavits were inactive, and calls to other numbers went unanswered. Emails sent to addresses listed in affidavits for one of the defendants also received no response. It remains unclear whether any of the defendants have legal representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the charges against the three individuals? The three defendants face federal charges for making threats against witnesses, officials, and family members connected to the Nolan Wells investigation. Charges include bomb threats and threats of violence.
When were the charges filed? The charges were filed on different dates: Dumarce on July 14, Edwards on July 23, and Porter on July 31.
Who were the threats directed at? The threats were directed at a Jackson County Chancery Court judge, an unnamed witness, and two members of Bart Edminston Jr.’s family.
What is the current status of the Wells investigation? The independent autopsy determined the cause of death as “undetermined.” No arrests or suspects have been identified in connection with the teenager’s death.
