Charges Filed Against Three for Witness Threats in Mississippi Teen’s Death Probe

Authorities have charged three individuals for allegedly threatening witnesses involved in the investigation of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells’ death. Edward James Porter is one of the accused, facing charges for making threats on July 31, court documents reveal.

A probable cause affidavit states Porter made multiple phone calls to two witnesses, threatening their lives and families. He claimed to know their addresses and told one witness he would dismember them and place the remains in a suitcase.

Wells was discovered dead on July 6 at Horn Island in Mississippi. This followed a July 4 outing with friends. His friends reportedly left the gathering early due to boat issues. Wells opted to stay and catch another ride. He was last seen by his friends on Horn Island.

Wells’ disappearance was reported by his mother and a friend when he failed to return home. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Wells’ family, questioned if race played a role in the situation, as Wells was one of the few Black attendees that day. Crump also disputed authorities’ suggestions of Wells drowning, highlighting his swimming skills and athletic history. NBC News has contacted Crump for comments.

Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce faces charges for allegedly threatening a Jackson County Chancery Court judge on Facebook. On July 11, a probable cause affidavit included messages from the account ‘yaeyae962,’ threatening to send a bomb to the judge’s office. Authorities traced the Facebook account to Dumarce.

Ashlee Cole, a Jackson County judge and mother of one of Wells’ accompanying friends, reported Dumarce’s threatening messages. Identified as ‘A.C.’ in court documents, Cole posted similar message screenshots on social media.

Michelle Francine Edwards, the third charged individual, faced allegations of issuing a bomb threat to the George County chancery clerk’s office on July 23. Edwards reportedly also threatened the Jackson County sheriff’s office on the same day.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Edwards called the George County office over 20 times in eight minutes, using phrases like “do not go outside,” “the clock is ticking,” and “die.” Later, she called the sheriff’s office eight times, warning of an alleged bomb outside, per the affidavit.

No attorneys have been listed for Porter, Dumarce, or Edwards. NBC News contacted the Jackson County public defender’s office for comments on these cases.