The Daily Populous Monday October 14th, 2024 evening edition
Authored by wbtv.com and submitted by addled_and_old

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man and charged him with going armed to the terror of the public after security threats prompted a pause in some FEMA operations around western North Carolina.

William Jacob Parsons, 44, from Bostic was arrested after dispatchers were told a white male holding an assault rifle and making comments about harming FEMA employees.

Parsons has been released on a $10,000 secured bond; deputies said he was armed with a handgun and arifle.

An inspection agency that works as a contractor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency ordered its employees in western North Carolina to cease inspections over the weekend and return to hotels, WBTV confirmed late Sunday night.

Sunday evening, the Washington Post first reported messages about reports of threats to FEMA-affiliated workers in Rutherford County. WBTV has independently confirmed that reporting with sources with direct knowledge of the threats.

The news comes after FEMA workers across Hurricane Helene’s disaster zone in western North Carolina have been targeted with misinformation and rumors about the federal government’s recovery operations in the area.

Messages that WBTV has reviewed, sent to employees of a contracting agency that works with FEMA for inspections, appear to show an impact area across western North Carolina.

“Effective immediately, disaster-wide -- cease inspections today and return to your hotels,” an alert from Vanguard Inspection Services read on Saturday. “FEMA received news that the Title 10 (active military unit deployed to NC) came across some trucks of militia units who said they were out hunting FEMA personnel.”

Late Sunday evening, a second message from the company told employees to continue their standdown throughout Monday until further notice. Vanguard was not immediately available for comment.

In a press release, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said reports of militia units were unfounded and that Parsons is accused of acting alone.

Earlier Sunday morning in a Facebook post, the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged threats to FEMA employees and contractors in western North Carolina but said there had been no reports in Ashe County.

“We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County,” Sheriff B. Phil Howell wrote. “As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats.”

Also on Sunday, a spokesperson for FEMA acknowledged some “operational adjustments” for safety issues in western North Carolina but did not confirm any threats.

“FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance,” a spokesperson wrote.

“For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors continue to register for assistance, and we continue to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery.”

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

hlgb2015 on October 14th, 2024 at 12:11 UTC »

So I’m currently working as a contractor for Duke Energy in the Asheville area. I am also credentialed with FEMA, although i am not currently working in that capacity. The amount of insane shit i have heard being said about FEMA by people I’ve come across here is insane. Full on psycho conspiracy shit being taken as fact and acted upon. All stated to me as “one of the good ones” not realizing that the only reason im here with duke and not FEMA is because the company I work for received a request from Duke first.

Edit: i should mention too, at least once a day I or one of the teams I work with is stopped and harassed by residents whom have been whipped into a frenzy with unsubstantiated stories of home invaders posing as utility inspectors. I’ve been working 16hr days, 7 days a week since sept 27 and i don’t how much more i can take out here.

aLongWayFromOldham on October 14th, 2024 at 10:08 UTC »

My head can’t get around this. People are “hunting” the emergency relief workers. From other news articles it seems as though there’s a bunch of lies and false rumors being circulated. This is causing a pitchfork mob.

North Carolina officials working to dispel Helene rumors as misinformation spreads and this links to a FEMA site to directly address those rumors.

FoxFyer on October 14th, 2024 at 09:26 UTC »

Watch them get criticized for this by the same politicians and pundits who are largely responsible for inspiring the threats.