PRESS RELEASE

Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander reports the arrest of AARON KEITH BYNUM (20 YOM), of Oakland, on charges of Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree, a Class "D" Felony, and Harassing Communications, a Class "A" Misdemeanor.

The arrest stems from an investigation into threats made on-line. On 05/09/26, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Threats Operations Center (NTOC) received an electronic tip (E-TIP) that an individual in an on-line multi-player game had threatened a mass shooting at his local Walmart if the country were locked down again due to the Hantavirus. The individual provided the player's username along with an in-game recording of the threats.

On 05/11/26, a subpoena was issued to the parent company of the game identified BYNUM as the owner of the account. On 05/13/26, the FBI Fayetteville Field Office subsequently contacted the Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) and passed the information to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

On 05/14/26, Investigator's with the MCSO submitted for and received a search warrant for BYNUM'S residence, along with a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. On 05/15/26, Investigator's served the search warrant and while processing the scene, seized a computer and computer accessories. BYNUM was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marion County Detention Center (MCDC) where he was booked and processed.

AARON KEITH BYNUM is charged with one (1) count of Terroristic Threatening 1st Degree, a Class "D" Felony, and one (1) count of Harassing Communications, a Class "A" Misdemeanor" with a bond set at $2,500.00.

Gregg L. Alexander, Sheriff