HENDERSON COUNTY–An arrest warrant was issued by a Henderson County judge with allegations that a Malakoff man called in a bomb threat to avoid a court hearing June 7.
On a post from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, 392nd Judicial District Judge Scott McKee issued a false alarm arrest warrant June 10 for Daniel Richard Simpson, 35, of Malakoff.
Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said because officials erred on the side of caution, evacuating multiple locations including the courthouse, courthouse annex and the judicial complex Tuesday morning, the charge was upgraded to a state jail felony.
Hillhouse said that their investigation tied the bomb threat phone call to Simpson, who was scheduled to have a court hearing in McKee’s court June 7.
“He was looking at possible penitentiary time,” Hillhouse stated.
The threat came via a phone call and text message Tuesday morning during the convening of the Henderson County Commissioners’ Court at the courthouse June 7.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents checked the Henderson County buildings to make sure they were safe. The courthouse and other buildings were found to be clear, Hillhouse said.
Simpson is still on the run as of press time. Anyone who has seen Simpson or has information about his whereabouts is urged to call the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 675-5128.