A Washington state man faces criminal charges after investigators say a bomb threat sent to Cobb County Animal Services director Steve Hammond was traced back to him.
FOX 5 reports that Hammond received an email insulting him and threatening to bomb his home. Investigators traced the message to 36-year-old Mativa James Taoipu in Washington state, according to law-enforcement officials.
Investigators say the message was traced across the country
Authorities arrested Taoipu and booked him into the Cobb County Jail. FOX 5 reported a $5,000 bond.
The reporting reviewed does not establish why Hammond was targeted. Officials had not publicly released a confirmed motive or explained whether the accused man had previous contact with Cobb Animal Services.
The criminal case is still at the allegation stage. An arrest and booking do not establish guilt, and the exact court timeline had not been announced in the initial report.
What remains unanswered
Authorities have not said when Taoipu will make his first court appearance or whether any interstate transfer process is required following the Washington arrest.
The case also raises questions about whether additional threatening messages were sent and whether investigators recovered devices or accounts connected to the email. None of those details were confirmed in the reporting available Sunday night.
The next update is expected to come from Cobb County law enforcement or court records as charges move forward.
