Tennessee man arrested in Huntsville accused of threatening President Obama, multiple officials
By Jonathan Grass | jgrass@al.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on July 22, 2014 at 4:06 PM, updated July 22, 2014 at 7:17 PM
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- A man in Nashville's metro jail is accused of threatening to kill President Barack Obama and several officials through racially charged phone calls.
Jimmie Randall JohnsonJimmie Randall Johnson (Contributed by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department)
The affidavit alleges Jimmie Randall Johnson, 45, of Ardmore, Tennessee left the first three voice messages for the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security on July 11. Johnson is accused of making several threats against Obama, as well as threatening to shoot Tennessee Homeland Security Director David Purkey. The affidavit alleges he used racial slurs while threatening to "blow them all up" in reference to Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Tommy Farmer. Authorities say he even left his real name in one of these calls.
The affidavit states he also made multiple death threats against former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan during these calls.
Authorities say Johnson made another call the next day in which he again threatened Romney and Ryan and said he would "light Nashville up."
Cell providers gave authorities call records and locations, pinpointing Johnson as the suspect. Tennessee State Troopers and Secret Service agents found him in Huntsville. The affidavit states Johnson admitted making the calls. He was arrested Saturday and taken to Nashville's jail. He is charged with one count of harassment.
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