3 charged with threatening witnesses, families after Nolan Wells’ death, feds say

MISSISSIPPI, USA — Three people have been charged in separate federal cases accusing them of threatening alleged witnesses in the Nolan Wells case , including sending violent messages targeting witnesses and their children, according to court records. In documents originally obtained by the Sun Herald , federal prosecutors allege the defendants made threats in an effort to intimidate witnesses or interfere with an ongoing state investigation. One of those defendants, Edward James Porter, is accused of repeatedly threatening two alleged witnesses on July 31. According to a federal criminal complaint, Porter repeatedly called one witness over about two hours, threatening to kill the witness and the witness's family. Investigators say he also texted the witness their home address before later claiming he was outside the residence and intended to kill them.

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Scoop News DeskMississippi · Published Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 8:46 PM UTCUpdated Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM UTC

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According to a federal criminal complaint obtained by the Sun Herald, Edwards allegedly called the George County Chancery Clerk's Office about 21 times in roughly eight minutes using a blocked phone number, repeatedly warning employees not to go outside and saying, "The clock is ticking." Investigators say she later called the Jackson County Sheriff's Office several times claiming there was a bomb outside the building, prompting deputies to lock down the office and conduct a bomb sweep.