VIDOR, Texas — An Orange County man was arrested after making threats to people and property on his social media account.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office arrested Barry Bates, 56, after they received information that he was posting threatening messages involving violence to people and property to social media, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
They received many calls from government officials, school districts and citizens about Bates' posts, the release states.
Several Orange County schools and businesses heightened their security on Monday because of the threats.
Deputies were able to arrest Bates during a traffic stop on Monday afternoon after they got an arrest warrant.
Bates is now in the Orange County Jail and charged with terroristic threat, which is a third degree felony, according to the release.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Judge Hershel Stagner all helped with the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
From an Orange County Sheriff's Office news release:
On Sunday, October 29th, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office began receiving information of a local Orange County resident posting multiple threatening messages involving violence to persons and property to his social media account. The Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls from government officials, school districts, and citizens concerning the posts. Several area schools and businesses had heightened their security on Monday due to the threats. After conducting an investigation, the Sheriff’s Office was able to obtain an arrest warrant for Barry Bates DOB 8/26/67. An arrest was made on Bates after a traffic stop on Monday afternoon, and the subject is now in the custody of the Orange County Jail for the following charge: Terroristic Threat-3rd Degree Felony. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the ATF, FBI, and Judge Hershel Stagner for their help with this investigation. This continues to be an ongoing investigation.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
