According to court records cited by the Sun Herald, Edward James Porter, 40, of Berwyn, Illinois, was arrested on charges of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce.
Investigators allege Porter repeatedly threatened to kill two witnesses connected to the case and their families. According to court records, Porter allegedly told one witness he would “come kill” them and their family before sending the person’s home address to demonstrate that he knew where they lived. He is also accused of threatening a second witness, their family, and any law enforcement officers who responded.
The arrest marks the third federal case involving alleged threats connected to the investigation.
Last week, Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, of Sacramento, California, was arrested after authorities accused him of sending threatening Facebook messages to Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole, whose son, Warren Hudson, was among the group that traveled to Horn Island with Wells on July 4.
Earlier, Michelle Francine Edwards, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was also charged with transmitting threatening communications after investigators alleged she repeatedly contacted the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office and made threatening statements. According to court documents, Edwards allegedly called the office numerous times, making statements including, “Do not go outside,” “the clock is ticking,” and “die.” Authorities also allege she contacted the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and made a false claim related to the investigation.
Authorities have not said whether the three cases are connected, and it was not immediately clear whether Porter has retained an attorney or entered a plea.
The arrests come after Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and other state officials warned they would aggressively investigate threats against public officials, witnesses and anyone connected to the Wells investigation.
Wells’ death has drawn national attention in part because the 18-year-old Black teenager disappeared after spending the Fourth of July with a group of mostly white friends on Horn Island. His body was found on the island’s northwestern tip two days later.
No one has been charged in connection with Wells’ death.
The official state autopsy has been completed, but its findings remain under seal and will be presented to a Jackson County grand jury before being released publicly.
Meanwhile, Wells’ family continues pursuing its own independent investigation with attorney Ben Crump, who has said the family is seeking answers about what happened during the teen’s final hours.
Crump has also said Wells’ mother, Christine Wonsley, has faced harassment since publicly advocating for her son, including negative online reviews targeting her work as a nurse.
The investigation into Wells’ death remains ongoing.
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