New indictment filed for federal offense tied to Nolan Wells investigation
An Ohio woman first arrested in July on a federal criminal complaint regarding threats in connection with the Nolan Xavier Wells death investigation entered a not guilty plea Friday following her indictment on a federal charge that could send her to prison for up to 10 years.
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Michelle Francine Edwards, 42, of Cincinnati, was indicted on federal charge of conveying false information involving explosives, in calls made across state lines. In addition to prison, she could face up to $250,000 in fines, or twice the gross gains or loss that resulted from her alleged actions.
U.S. District Judge Robert Myers set a trial date on the four-week calendar beginning Oct. 5.
Her attorney, James “Jim” Halliday, represented her at the hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose served as prosecutor on the case on Friday in the Southern District of Mississippi.
Edwards is being held without bond pending trial after a judge revoked her previous bond when she failed to go to court for an earlier appearance.
According to federal investigators, Edward made threatening calls on July 23 to the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office while concealing her identity by blocking her caller ID.
Edwards began calling the George County Chancery Clerk’s Office at about 1:34 p.m. Over an eight-minute period, she made 21 calls to the Clerk’s Office. During the calls, she is accused of repeatedly threatening employees by making statements such as “Do not go outside, the clock is ticking,” and “die.”
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In addition, she repeatedly called the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, saying such things as, “Y’all got a bomb outside,” and “Don’t come outside, bitch,” and more.
The calls ultimately resulted in a temporary evacuation of public buildings to conduct bomb sweeps to ensure the safety of workers and the public.
Edwards is among a growing list of people arrested for making death threats to people tied to the investigation into Wells’ death after he went on July 4 trip to Horn Island with a group of friends.
His friends returned to the mainland without Wells, saying he stayed behind to talk to a girl.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department is headed up the investigation into Wells’ death with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This story was originally published September 4, 2026 at 2:06 PM with the headline “New indictment filed for federal offense tied to Nolan Wells investigation.”
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