Columbia Police are investigating a bomb threat to the Adair Judicial Center.
On Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 11:54amCT, Adair County 911 received a call that the Adair Judicial Center would blow up in 20 minutes. Court Security Officers along with the Sheriffs Department and Columbia Police, immediately began evacuating the building. The Columbia-Adair County Fire Department and other emergency services were placed on standby. Officers conducted a search of building and the building was reopened in approximately 1 hour. Circuit Court was in session at the time of threat.
Once the building was opened, Officers turned their focus toward the origin of the call. Officers were able to track down the call and after investigation determined that 36-year-old Nathan James Popplewell of Jamestown, KY had purchased a non-contract phone on Tuesday morning and placed the call. The call was an attempt to keep his wife from appearing in court as she was on the docket for 1pm.
Popplewell was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail by Columbia Police Sgt. Jr Murphy who was assisted by Sgt Gary Roy. Popplewell was charged with Terroristic Threatening 1st degree. The charge is a Class C felony and can carry a sentence of a minimum 5 years up to 10 years if convicted.
Columbia Police are continuing the investigation.