A California man has been arrested in connection with threats made against a Mississippi judge involved in the investigation of Nolan Wells' death. Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, 27, of Sacramento, was taken into custody Thursday on a charge of interstate transmission of a threatening communication.
According to federal court documents, Dumarce allegedly sent multiple threats through Facebook Messenger to Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole. These messages included a warning that a bomb would be sent to her office. One message stated, "There will be a package coming to your guys office in the next few days. It’s gonna blow you away when you see it lol. probably best to have the boys there to see as well."
Dumarce also allegedly sent messages detailing violence, stating, "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."
Cole is the mother of Warren Hudson, who was with 18-year-old Nolan Wells on July 4 when they took a boat trip to Horn Island, off Mississippi's Gulf Coast. Wells disappeared that day, and his remains were discovered on the island two days later by a National Park Service ranger. Hudson has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Records from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources indicate Wells chose to remain on Horn Island rather than return with Hudson.
Federal authorities identified Dumarce through the email associated with his Facebook account. The charge he faces carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI declined to comment on the case.
An independent autopsy revealed "red discoloration" on Wells' head, but the medical examiner could not determine a cause or manner of death pending further investigation. Official autopsy results have not been released. Wells was a wide receiver at Southwest Mississippi Community College with aspirations to play at the Division I level.