Story perspectives

Three Charged Over Threats to Judge, Witnesses in Wells Case

8/6/2026

Summary

Prosecutors Charge Threateners

U.S. prosecutors charged three people for threatening Judge Ashlee Cole, witnesses and officials in the Nolan Wells case.
Edward James Porter was charged on July 31 for threatening witnesses, allegedly saying he would kill them and cut them up into a suitcase.
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce was charged on July 14 after a July 11 Facebook bomb threat to Judge Cole.
Michelle Francine Edwards was charged on July 23 for bomb threats.

Summary

Ben Crump Investigates

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump represents the Wells parents and is investigating the teen’s death.
Independent autopsy ordered by the family listed cause and manner of death as “undetermined” and noted head discoloration.
GiveSendGo fundraiser seeks money for a legal team to defend the teen’s friends alleging death threats and defamation.
Nurse Christine Wells reports online abuse and negative employer reviews after demanding answers, while the state autopsy remains unreleased.

Summary

Porter Threatens Witnesses

United Cajun Navy report showed three boats anchored on Horn Island before Wells vanished.
The Triton left Horn Island at 4:31 p.m., confirming Wells refused to board.
A witness said Wells was “nowhere in sight” when her group left at 7:30 p.m.
Agents subpoenaed Boost Mobile records linking Porter’s phone number and IP address to his Berwyn address.
Christopher Kloc filed a July 31 affidavit describing Porter’s threats to kill witnesses and families.

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Prosecutors Charge Threateners

U.S. prosecutors charged three people for threatening Judge Ashlee Cole, witnesses and officials in the Nolan Wells case.
Edward James Porter was charged on July 31 for threatening witnesses, allegedly saying he would kill them and cut them up into a suitcase.
Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce was charged on July 14 after a July 11 Facebook bomb threat to Judge Cole.
Michelle Francine Edwards was charged on July 23 for bomb threats.

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