Man charged with gun threats made against North Carolina FEMA workers

A North Carolina man was arrested and accused of threatening federal aid workers providing disaster relief after Hurricane Helene.

Rutherford County sheriff’s deputies took 44-year-old William Jacob Parsons, of Bostic, into custody and charged him with going armed to the terror of the public after he allegedly made a comment about harming workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency while carrying a military-style rifle, reported WGHP-TV.

Investigators obtained a description of the suspect's vehicle and later identified him as Parsons, who they said was armed with a handgun and rifle at the time of his arrest.

Authorities say he acted alone in making the alleged threat, and he was released from custody on $10,000 bond.

"FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance," the agency said in a statement. "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.”

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Donald Trump and running mate J.D. Vance have falsely claimed that FEMA was offering only $750 total in disaster relief and spread other baseless allegations about the federal response to last month's hurricane, which state governors and local officials alike have disputed and said had sowed mistrust in government workers.