Man arrested in McMinn County for school threats

MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A man is facing a felony charge after he was accused of making threats against schools, according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.

Guy said that the sheriff’s office and school administrators were alerted by 911 dispatchers around 1:34 p.m. that a suspect near Niota Elementary School allegedly “made a threatening statement towards schools on social media.”

According to Guy, the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Joshua Webb, was charged with making threats of mass violence on school property, which is a felony.

Niota Schools told parents via an online post that the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office sent additional officers to the school, and school administrators placed the building into “a hold state” to secure all students and staff within the building. Guy explained that at the same time, deputies notified the local Homeland Security Agent.

“Within 15 minutes of receiving the call, our deputies and the Homeland Security Agent had the suspect identified and in custody,” said Guy. “It was also determined that Webb had made a threatening social media post as well.”

Niota Schools said the suspect was detained around 1:52 p.m., and the hold was then lifted. Webb was taken to the McMinn County Jail where he is being held.

“Our school administrators, Homeland Security Agent Matt Blair, and our officers work hand in hand to respond to any threats involving our schools,” added Guy. “If you make a threat, we are coming to get you.”

Earlier this week, Guy also warned residents of social media posts with disturbing messages and photos about threats of school shootings, explaining that they were confirmed to have originated in other states and were not directed toward McMinn County.

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