Three people charged with threatening judge, witness and officials tied to Nolan Wells investigation
Mississippi Federal Court Sees New Wave of Threats Amid Teen’s Death Probe
Healfromzero.com – Three individuals now face federal charges after allegedly targeting a judge, a witness, and local officials involved in the ongoing investigation surrounding the mysterious death of an 18-year-old Mississippi teenager. The threats emerged during a period of intense public scrutiny over the circumstances that led to Nolan Xavier Wells’ death following a July Fourth boating excursion.
Wells, a Black teenager, was traveling with a group of white high school friends to an uninhabited island along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast when the incident occurred. He failed to return to the mainland with his companions on the evening of July 4. His body was discovered two days later in waters near the island. Despite extensive efforts, authorities have not identified any suspects or made arrests in connection with his death.
Background on the Investigation
The case has drawn considerable attention due to multiple factors. An independent autopsy ordered by Wells’ family determined the cause of death as “undetermined,” leaving room for further investigation. The uncertainty surrounding the teenager’s final hours has fueled speculation and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement’s handling of the case. Mississippi’s historical record of racial violence has also contributed to the public’s deep interest in how this investigation unfolds.
Notably, none of the three individuals charged with threats appear to have any prior connection to Wells, his family, the boating group, or the investigation itself. The threats arrived during a particularly tense period for all parties involved.
Defendants and Their Alleged Actions
Edward James Porter of Illinois stands accused of making multiple threatening phone calls. According to court documents, Porter contacted an unnamed witness on July 31 and threatened to kill both the witness and their family members. In a separate conversation with someone in Mississippi, Porter allegedly declared he would dismember the person and place them “into a suitcase.” He was charged on July 31 in federal court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Porter also threatened two members of Bart Edminston Jr.’s family. Edminston, a 21-year-old who knew Wells and helped provide the boat used during the July Fourth trip, has been connected to the case. Family attorney Russell Latino confirmed that one of the threatened family members serves as a witness in the investigation into Wells’ death.
Michelle Francine Edwards, an Ohio resident, faces charges for allegedly placing bomb threats at two Mississippi government offices on July 23. Court affidavits indicate Edwards called the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office 21 times, repeatedly stating that “the clock is ticking.” Her actions prompted concerns about potential threats to public safety.
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce of California was charged on July 14 for allegedly sending a threatening Facebook message to a Jackson County Chancery Court judge with ties to the Wells investigation. A Facebook user believed to be Dumarce sent a message to the judge’s account that constituted “a threat that a bomb would be mailed to the judge’s office.”
Judge’s Response and Family Concerns
Judge Ashlee Cole publicly addressed the situation after receiving the threatening message. She posted a screenshot of Dumarce’s message on Facebook on July 9, bringing attention to the threat. Cole had previously shared information about the case, noting that her son last saw Wells on July Fourth around 3 p.m. and chose to remain on the island before returning inland with another group of friends.
Cole wrote in an earlier Facebook post that her son last saw Wells on July Fourth around 3 p.m. and decided to “stay on the island and return inland later with another group of friends.”
“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.
Cole expressed concerns for her children’s safety and mentioned that she had deactivated her Facebook account following the threats. Her son’s cooperation with the sheriff’s investigation has been documented as complete.
Attempts to Contact Defendants
Efforts to reach the three defendants for comment have been unsuccessful. Phone numbers listed for some defendants in affidavits were found to be inactive, while calls to other numbers went unanswered. Emails sent to addresses listed in an affidavit for one of the defendants also received no response. It remains unclear whether any of the defendants have retained legal representation.
Implications for the Investigation
The timing of these threats raises questions about their connection to the broader investigation. With no arrests made and the cause of death still undetermined, the case remains open and active. The threats against officials and witnesses could potentially complicate the investigation’s progress, particularly if witnesses become hesitant to cooperate due to safety concerns.
The federal nature of some charges suggests that prosecutors view these threats as serious enough to warrant federal intervention. The Southern District of Mississippi’s involvement in Porter’s case indicates that the threats may have crossed jurisdictional boundaries or involved federal interests.
As the investigation continues, the community awaits further developments. The combination of an undetermined cause of death, no named suspects, and now multiple threats against those involved creates a complex picture that has captured public attention across the region and beyond.
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