California Man Arrested for Threatening Judge in Mississippi Case

A man from California is in custody after allegedly making violent threats towards the mother of one of Nolan Wells’ friends. Nolan Wells, 18, disappeared on July 4 after a boat trip to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. His remains were found on July 6 by a ranger from the National Park Service on the island’s northwestern tip.

Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, 27, was apprehended for interstate transmission of a threatening communication, as per federal court documents. Dumarce reportedly sent threats via Facebook Messenger to Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole, claiming a bomb would be delivered to her office. Dumarce hails from Sacramento, California.

Judge Ashlee Cole is the mother of Warren Hudson, who accompanied Wells on the day of his disappearance. According to messages allegedly sent by Dumarce on July 11, Cole received threats describing a package that would ‘blow you away when you see it’ and graphic warnings of imminent danger.

Blood. So much blood everywhere. Hard to clean. Especially from a boat. But yours will be quick I promise. I got all your info. Not even the FBI can stop this. Once that package is opened the timer will start. And then you have maybe 10 seconds or less to ask god forgiveness, Dumarce allegedly messaged Cole.

Authorities identified Dumarce through the email linked to his Facebook account. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Nolan Wells, whose body was discovered by a park ranger, was known as a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College. His goal was to advance to Division I sports. Warren Hudson has not been accused of any misconduct. Well’s choice to remain on Horn Island, instead of returning to the coast, is documented by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

During a July 22 press event, attorney Ben Crump mentioned finding a ‘red discoloration’ on Wells’ head. Dr. Roger Mitchell conducted an independent autopsy but could not establish a cause or manner of death pending further investigation. Official autopsy results are still awaited.

The FBI has refrained from commenting on the situation. For further developments, readers can follow crime updates.