Man arrested in Tazewell County for making threats towards a local church

RICHLANDS, VA (WVNS) — A man is in custody in Richlands, Virginia after reportedly making threats towards a local church.

According to a post on the Richlands Police Department’s Facebook page, 54-year-old Andy Mullins was taken into custody for reportedly making threats towards a local church with an attached private school in the Richlands area of Tazewell County.

Members of the Richlands Police Department, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police responded to the church to offer security for the people at the church and private school.

Mullins was arrested around 12:00 p.m. in Richlands and he was later charged with Threats of Bodily Harm or Injury, which is a Class Five Felony because of the church also being a private school.

According to the Richlands Police Department, Mullins is being held without bond.

I would like to thank the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, and the Bluefield Police Department for their rapid response and their willingness to provide manpower and technology that brought a quick resolution to this volatile situation. We would also like to thank the Commonwealth Attorney, Chris Plaster and his deputies for their support and assistance.

Chief Ronald D. Holt II

The Richlands Police Department thanked the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, the Bluefield Police Department, and the Virginia State Police for their support during the investigation.

According to the post, the Richlands Police Department stated that the incident remains under investigation and that there is no ongoing threat at this time.

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