Threatening Email Leads to Arrest of Tucson Man

On Wednesday, an Arizona man was taken into custody after reportedly sending an email that contained threats of bombings at the White House and various locations in Washington, D.C., according to federal authorities.

Jacob Aaron Hicks, a 46-year-old from Tucson, faces charges for making an interstate threat to cause injury, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

A criminal complaint indicates that Hicks sent the threatening email to a local Tucson news station on September 23, claiming there was an “imminent bomb strike against the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C.” Upon receiving the email, the news station quickly contacted law enforcement, which initiated an investigation into the threat.

Investigators were able to identify Hicks as the person behind the email, and U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine emphasized the seriousness of threats like this, stating that they must be taken seriously.

Courchaine also expressed gratitude towards the local news station for alerting authorities and praised the FBI for their swift and professional handling of the situation.

Furthermore, investigators uncovered additional email drafts in Hicks’ account, dated the same day as the initial email. These drafts were addressed to other news organizations and similarly communicated threats involving the White House and additional sites in Washington, D.C.

The FBI is coordinating the investigation, receiving support from the U.S. Secret Service. Rebecca Day, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Phoenix office, highlighted the importance of community cooperation in reporting threats, stating that it’s essential for the safety of the American public.

Reportedly, Hicks made his first appearance in federal court on Thursday.