Three individuals face charges for allegedly threatening witnesses in the investigation into the death of Mississippi teenager Nolan Wells. Court documents obtained by NBC News reveal that Edward James Porter is accused of threatening two witnesses on July 31. A probable cause affidavit states Porter called these witnesses, threatening to harm them and their families, asserting knowledge of their residences.
Nolan Wells was found dead on July 6 at Horn Island’s northwest tip, having been there since July 4 with friends to celebrate the holiday. Friends reported needing to leave early as their boat started sinking, with Wells opting to stay and catch a later ride. This was the last time they saw him.
Concerned about his absence, Wells’ mother and a friend reported him missing. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, has questioned the circumstances around Wells’ death, particularly regarding potential racial factors, given Wells’ presence as one of few Black individuals there. Crump also disputes theories suggesting Wells drowned, pointing to his strong swimming abilities and athletic background. NBC News has contacted Crump for comments.
Another individual, Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, is charged after allegedly sending threatening messages via Facebook to a Jackson County Chancery Court judge on July 11. A probable cause affidavit includes a screenshot of messages from the username “yaeyae962,” threatening violence through a bomb. These messages were traced back to Dumarce.
Ashlee Cole, a Jackson County judge whose son was with Wells on the day he died, posted on Facebook about the tragedy, mentioning her son’s cooperation with authorities. Cole, identified as “A.C.” in court documents, shared screenshots of the threats from “yaeyae962,” which aligned with those in court records.
A third charge involves Michelle Francine Edwards, who allegedly made a bomb threat to George County chancery clerk’s office on July 23. The affidavit claims Edwards made numerous threatening calls to the chancery clerk and the Jackson County sheriff’s office, referencing a bomb.
No attorneys are listed for Porter, Dumarce, or Edwards. NBC News has contacted the Jackson County public defender’s office for comments on these cases.