Three people charged with threatening judge, witness and officials tied to Nolan Wells investigation
Three People Charged With Threatening Judge in Wells Case
Earthguardiansonline.com – Three people charged with threatening a judge, witness, and local officials have been formally accused in federal court. Mississippi law enforcement filed charges against three individuals who allegedly issued threats toward key figures in the investigation surrounding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells. The teenager was found deceased after a July Fourth boating trip to a remote Gulf Coast island. Notably, investigators report that none of the three defendants have any prior connection to Wells, his family, or the friends who were on the boat that day.
What Led to the Threats?
The charges come amid growing public attention on the Wells case. Several elements have contributed to the tense atmosphere, including unanswered questions about the teenager’s final hours, skepticism toward law enforcement, and Mississippi’s history of racial violence. Wells, who was Black, traveled to the uninhabited island with white high school friends. He did not return to the mainland on the evening of July Fourth, and his body was discovered two days later near the island’s shore.
Authorities have not yet arrested anyone or publicly named suspects in connection with Wells’ death. An independent autopsy ordered by the family determined the cause of death as “undetermined,” pending further investigation. This uncertainty has sparked both public interest and hostility toward those involved in the case.
Who Are the Three Defendants?
Edward James Porter, an Illinois resident, is accused of making multiple threatening phone calls. Court records show that on July 31, Porter called an unnamed witness and threatened to kill both the witness and their family. In another conversation with a Mississippi resident, Porter allegedly said he would dismember the person and put them in a suitcase. Porter was charged on July 31 in federal court for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Porter’s threats also targeted members of Bart Edminston Jr.’s family. Edminston, 21, was familiar with Wells and helped the boat group on July Fourth. Family attorney Russell Latino confirmed that one of Porter’s targets is currently serving as a witness in the Wells investigation.
Michelle Francine Edwards, from Ohio, faces charges for bomb threats aimed at government offices. According to court affidavits, Edwards called the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office 21 times on July 23, repeatedly saying “the clock is ticking.” She was also accused of targeting the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office with similar threats on the same day.
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, a California man, was charged on July 14 for allegedly sending a threatening Facebook message to a Jackson County Chancery Court judge involved in the Wells case. Court documents indicate that a Facebook user believed to be Dumarce sent a message to the judge’s account warning that a bomb would be mailed to her office.
Judge Cole’s Role in the Investigation
Judge Ashlee Cole has become a central figure in the public narrative surrounding the investigation. She posted a screenshot of Dumarce’s threatening message on Facebook on July 9, highlighting the danger she felt. In an earlier post, Cole revealed that her son last saw Wells on July Fourth around 3 p.m. and chose to stay on the island before returning inland with another group of friends.
“No one in our family is trying in any way to impede with the investigation by law enforcement or to otherwise hamper the family and law enforcement’s quest for answers,” Cole wrote, adding that her son “cooperated fully” with the sheriff’s investigation.
Cole also disclosed that she deactivated her Facebook account following the threats, expressing concern for her children’s safety. Her personal connection to the case has made her a target of the escalating hostility.
Attempts to Contact the Accused
Journalists and investigators have made multiple attempts to reach the three defendants for comment, but these efforts have been largely unsuccessful. Phone numbers listed for some defendants in affidavits were found to be inactive, while calls to other numbers went unanswered. Emails sent to addresses associated with one of the defendants also received no response. It remains unclear whether any of the three individuals plan to enter pleas or contest the charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific charges against each defendant? Edward James Porter is charged with making threatening phone calls. Michelle Francine Edwards faces charges for bomb threats to government offices. Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce was charged for sending a threatening Facebook message to a judge.
When did the threats occur? The threats were made between July 14 and July 31, 2026, with most incidents occurring in late July.
How is the Wells investigation progressing? An independent autopsy determined the cause of death as “undetermined.” Authorities have not yet arrested anyone or publicly named suspects in connection with Wells’ death.
Why are these threats significant? The threats target key figures in the investigation, including a judge, a witness, and local officials, potentially impacting the investigation’s progress and public confidence in the legal process.
