Three people charged with threatening judge, witness and officials tied to Nolan Wells investigation
Three People Charged With Threatening Judge and Witnesses
Activelifezero.com – Three people charged with threatening a federal judge, a key witness, and local officials have been formally indicted in connection with the high-profile investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells. The charges mark a significant development as authorities work to secure the integrity of their inquiry. Wells, a Black teenager from Mississippi, was found dead in Gulf Coast waters after a July Fourth boating trip with white high school friends. His body was recovered two days later, though the cause of death remains undetermined following an independent autopsy.
The three defendants—Edward James Porter, Michelle Francine Edwards, and Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce—face federal charges for various threatening behaviors directed at individuals involved in the Wells case. None of the defendants had prior connections to Wells, his family, or the boating group. Law enforcement has not yet identified suspects in the teenager's death, making these threat charges an important step in protecting those cooperating with the investigation.
Porter's Threats Target Witness and Family
Edward James Porter of Illinois was charged in the Southern District of Mississippi for allegedly threatening multiple people. Court documents show Porter called an unnamed witness on July 31 and threatened to kill both the witness and their family members. In a separate conversation, Porter reportedly said he would cut someone up and place them "into a suitcase."
Attorney Russell Latino confirmed that Porter also threatened two members of Bart Edminston Jr.'s family. Edminston Jr., 21, helped provide the boat used on July Fourth and knew Wells. One of the targeted family members is now serving as a witness in the investigation.
Officials Receive Bomb Threats and Messages
Michelle Francine Edwards of Ohio was charged on July 23 for allegedly placing bomb threats at two government offices. According to court affidavits, she called the George County Chancery Clerk's Office 21 times, repeatedly declaring that "the clock is ticking." Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce of California was charged on July 14 for sending a threatening Facebook message to a Jackson County Chancery Court judge involved in the Wells case.
According to an affidavit, a Facebook user believed to be Dumarce sent a message to the judge's account that constituted a "threat that a bomb would be mailed to the judge's office."
Judge's Family Shares Safety Concerns
Judge Ashlee Cole publicly shared a screenshot of Dumarce's threatening message on Facebook on July 9. 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. She deactivated her Facebook account, citing fears for her children's safety.
Cole wrote that she fears for the safety of her children. "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.
Community Watches as Investigation Continues
The threats have intensified public attention on the case, which has been complicated by uncertainty surrounding Wells' final hours and growing distrust of law enforcement. Mississippi's long history of racial violence has drawn particular scrutiny to the demographic composition of the group—Wells as the sole Black teenager among white friends. Attempts to reach the three defendants for comment were unsuccessful, with phone numbers listed in affidavits proving inactive or unanswered.
The federal charges represent the first formal legal action against individuals making threats related to the Wells investigation. Authorities are treating the interference seriously as the community remains watchful over the safety of those involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three people charged with threatening? The three defendants are Edward James Porter of Illinois, Michelle Francine Edwards of Ohio, and Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce of California. All three face federal charges for threatening a judge, witness, and local officials connected to the Nolan Wells investigation.
What threats were made against the judge? Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce allegedly sent a Facebook message to Jackson County Chancery Court Judge Ashlee Cole threatening that a bomb would be mailed to her office. Judge Cole's son was also connected to the case as he last saw Wells on July Fourth.
What happened to Nolan Wells? Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black teenager, was discovered deceased following a July Fourth boat excursion with white high school friends to an uninhabited Mississippi Gulf Coast island. His body was recovered two days later, and an independent autopsy determined the cause of death as "undetermined."
Are the defendants connected to the Wells case? No, the three individuals now facing charges do not appear to have any prior connection to Wells, his family, or the boating group involved in the incident. They were targeted for making threats against people involved in the investigation.