Humphreys County Man Arrested After Making Terror Threats against state capitol

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Friday, August 23rd 2019
Editor’s Note: According to an article published in Digital Journal in 2017, reporter Arthur Weinreb states that Paul Irving, the Sergeant-at-Arms for the U.S. House of Representatives that members of Congress have received more threats so far in 2017 than they did in the previous year. Irving is looking for ways to provide more funds for lawmakers’ security. According to Irving, between Jan. 1 and Jun. 21, 2017, the U.S. Capitol Police have investigated 950 threats made against lawmakers. These threats are all as a result of the fact those who were threatened are elected representatives. This number compares to the 902 threats that were investigated during the entire year of 2016. Many thanks to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) for keeping our state safe and a job well done.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn-A Humpreys County, Tennessee man is in jail charged with “Commission of Act of Terrorism” for sending a threatening letter to a Nashville television station WKRN, News 2.

The man was arrested after an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS).

TDOSHS received an email on August 21 WKRN-TV, News Channel 2, alerted the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) to a threatening email.  from a Nashville news station about a threatening email from a man identified as Nathan Semans.

According to TDOSHS officials, the email read:

“Look if you don’t run story I’m going to state capital to blow someone’s brain out. I don’t look good at the moment cause the tyranny of what trump did, the nature of this call is secret. You think I’m kidding trump belongs in the dumpster from a cool kid. Knock it off I’m human. I’ll immediately leave this country on a double once my passport clears, I’m sick of this nonsense and bologna hanging around that trumps the perfect American, hallelujah against trump I recommend you forward to the table of the news room or I join ISIS to seek revenge.”

After officials received the email it was sent to the Tennessee Fusion Center and then relayed to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Officials said troopers with the patrol’s Criminal Investigations Decision contacted Semans at his Waverly residence.

Semans admitted to making the threat and the claim about joining ISIS according to officials.

It is reported that Semans said he didn’t own any guns and was apologetic, even calling the station back saying he was just kidding.

After investigations officials consulted with Assistant District Attorney Joey Hornick and District Attorney Ray Crouch of the 23rd Judicial District, they suggested that THP charge Semans with “Commission of Act of Terrorism,” a Class A Felony.

Officials got an arrest warrant for Semans and around 10:45 p.m., THP Special Operations served the warrants on Semans.

The house was secured and searched, resulting in a cell phone and tablet being taken for further analysis.

Officials said they did not find weapons in the home.

The United States Secret Service will be following up with Nathan Semans according to Tennessee officials.

Around 10:45 p.m., THP Special Operations served the warrants on Semans and he was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to Humphreys County Jail on a $1,000,000 bond. The house was secured and searched, resulting in a cell phone and tablet being taken for further analysis. No weapons were found. The Humphreys Co. Sheriff’s Office assisted with the search warrant and provided security of the residence during the investigation. THP Troop A also responded and assisted the investigation. The United States Secret Service will be following up with Nathan Semans.

“We have always valued and appreciated our partnership with the media. Thanks to an alert and forward thinking employee at News 2, we were able to investigate this threat and make our community and state safer,” said Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long. “This is a textbook example of “See Something, Say Something.” We encourage anyone who witnesses something or learns of information that doesn’t add up, that can or will bring harm to someone, to please contact law enforcement to investigate. We take all threats seriously. I especially want to thank all the dedicated employees, agencies, and elected officials that worked quickly and diligently to bring this man into custody.”

“When we work together for the common good of our community, we are all safer,” said Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Dereck R. Stewart. “I am so proud of the process, the teamwork and partnerships that worked together seamlessly to prevent a possible very serious situation. I am thankful that WKRN-TV contacted our department, for if we had not received this notification, then it is very possible that the narrative of this release could have been tragically worse.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.