BREAKING: Armed North Carolina Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening FEMA Workers Assisting Hurricane Helene Victims — Relief Efforts Paused as Militia Trucks Reportedly Seen ‘Hunting FEMA’

William Jacob Parsons (Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) temporarily halted its operations across sections of North Carolina following alleged threats from armed militias against FEMA workers providing assistance to those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Sheriff Phil Howell of Ashe County confirmed on Sunday that FEMA personnel stationed in the state’s mountain region were subjected to alarming threats. As a result, FEMA took precautionary measures, pausing relief efforts in several areas to protect the safety of its workers.

Sheriff Howell, in a statement, emphasized that no specific threats were made against Ashe County itself but acknowledged that FEMA’s decision to pull back was necessary as they evaluated the situation.

Sheriff Howell wrote on Facebook:

We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County.

As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats.

We will notify everyone if and when we are updated.

Stay calm and steady during our recovery, help folks and please don’t stir the pot.

Tensions escalated after reports surfaced that National Guard troops encountered armed militia members in trucks claiming they were “hunting FEMA.”

This disturbing account, detailed in an email from a federal official and reported by The Washington Post, forced FEMA to advise all federal responders in Rutherford County to stand down and evacuate immediately.

“Effective immediately, disaster-wide — cease inspections today and return to your hotels,” an alert from Vanguard Inspection Services read on Saturday, according to KOLD.com. “FEMA received news that the Title 10 (active military unit deployed to NC) came across some trucks of militia units who said they were out hunting FEMA personnel.”

On Monday, Rutherford County authorities reported that a local man, William Jacob Parsons, 44, was arrested on Sunday for reportedly making explicit threats against FEMA personnel responding to the hurricane’s devastation. According to Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jamie Keever, Parsons was armed with a handgun and a rifle and was located after a tip led deputies to his vehicle.

Parsons has since been released on a $10,000 secured bond after being charged with “Going Armed to the Terror of the Public,” a misdemeanor.

This development follows growing scrutiny of FEMA for allegedly obstructing humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of widespread devastation in North Carolina.

Recall, in a series of explosive posts on X, Elon Musk revealed that his SpaceX engineers, who are on the ground providing vital communications and supplies via Starlink technology, are being blocked by FEMA from delivering lifesaving resources to victims in Asheville and surrounding areas.

In a damning message from one of Musk’s SpaceX engineers, the worker revealed the extent of FEMA’s interference.

According to these engineers, FEMA is not only failing to provide adequate assistance but is also impeding the efforts of private citizens and organizations trying to help those in need.

“The level of belligerent government incompetence is staggering!!” Musk wrote.

Also, multiple whistleblowers have come forward to expose the mismanagement at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) just as Hurricane Helene devastates the southeastern U.S.

According to a letter from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), whistleblowers allege that FEMA withheld critical pre-disaster funds and failed to issue deployment orders to first responders, leaving Americans stranded in the wake of the storm.

The Gateway Pundit previously reported that over $1 billion, which should have been used for American disaster relief, has instead been redirected into resettling illegal immigrants through programs like the “Shelter and Services Program.”

This is a developing story.

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