Third Person Charged in Nolan Wells Witness Threats
Federal authorities have charged a third person with allegedly threatening witnesses connected to the investigation into the death of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells, according to NBC News. The charges underscore the seriousness of witness intimidation in a case that has drawn national attention since the 18-year-old’s body was found on a remote barrier island last month.
The Latest Arrest
Edward James Porter, 40, of Berwyn, Illinois, was charged with transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce for allegedly making multiple threats to two witnesses on July 31, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. A probable cause affidavit states Porter made multiple calls to the witnesses, threatening to kill them and their families. He told one witness he would come kill them and their family before sending the person’s home address to demonstrate he knew where they lived. He allegedly told a second witness he would cut them up and put them into a suitcase.
Porter was arrested on August 4, as reported by Times Now World. He is the third person to face federal charges related to threats against people connected to the investigation.
Previous Arrests
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, 27, of Sacramento, California, was arrested on July 30 for allegedly threatening Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole via Facebook messages. According to court documents, the messages included a threat that a package would be sent to the judge’s office that would “blow you away,” with a warning that a timer would start once opened.
Michelle Francine Edwards, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was charged with making bomb threats to the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office on July 23. According to the Guardian, Edwards allegedly called the chancery clerk’s office more than 20 times in eight minutes, saying “do not go outside,” “the clock is ticking,” and “die.” She then called the sheriff’s office and claimed there was a bomb outside the building.
All three defendants face federal charges of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Background: The Nolan Wells Case
Wells, an 18-year-old Black college freshman from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, was found dead on July 6 at the northwest tip of Horn Island, two days after he traveled to the area with a group of friends to celebrate the July 4 holiday. He was the only Black person in the group. His friends told officials they needed to leave the gathering early because their boat was taking on water, and that Wells had told them he wanted to stay behind and catch a later ride.
No one has been charged in connection with Wells’ death itself. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family and paid for by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick found Wells’ cause and manner of death to be undetermined, pending investigation, according to NPR. The autopsy found missing neck tissue and unexplained red discoloration on the back of Wells’ head. 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.
Broader Pattern of Intimidation
The charges against Porter, Dumarce, and Edwards highlight a broader pattern of intimidation surrounding the case. Authorities have not said whether the three cases are connected. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and other state officials have warned they would aggressively investigate threats against public officials, witnesses, and anyone connected to the Wells investigation.
In a separate development, the Mississippi Board of Nursing has launched a professional misconduct investigation against Wells’ mother, Christine Wells Wonsley, following an anonymous complaint. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wells family, called the complaint a “warning shot” meant to pressure and silence a grieving mother, as reported by WLBT.
“This is a warning shot at a grieving mother, meant to pressure and scare her into staying quiet,” Crump said. “It is a distraction, it is intimidation, and we will not let it stand.”
Bart Edmiston Jr., 21, one of Wells’ friends who was on the boat trip, has also reportedly received credible death threats against himself and his family. He plans to pursue a defamation lawsuit following false accusations made against him online.
What’s Next
The investigation into Wells’ death remains ongoing, with the state autopsy findings set to be presented to a grand jury. The case has renewed debate over race and justice in the Deep South, with civil rights leaders calling for transparency. As Rev. Al Sharpton said at Wells’ funeral: “For an 18-year-old young man to no longer be with us, we want answers, not bias either way - just answers.”
The federal charges against Porter, Dumarce, and Edwards demonstrate that authorities are taking witness intimidation seriously as they work to protect the integrity of the investigation. The Atlanta Black Star reported that the fallout surrounding Wells’ death has extended well beyond the investigation itself, with friends who were with the teenager launching a fundraiser that has collected about $94,000 to defend against potential litigation and online harassment.
As the grand jury prepares to review the state autopsy findings, the Wells family continues to demand answers about what happened to their son on that remote Mississippi island.