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Tennessee Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill Obama, Romney, Paul Ryan

Police have arrested a Tennessee man who allegedly threatened to kill President Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., and shoot other national and local officials.  

In three profanity-laced voice mails left July 11 at the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, Jimmie Randall Johnson Jr. named a long list of leaders and said he would “blow them all up” and “come with an AK and kill all you [expletive],” according to an arrest warrant charging Johnson with harassment. Tennessee Homeland Security Director David Purkey and Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Tommy Farmer were also specifically threatened.  

Johnson, 45, left his name in the second call.  

In an additional message on July 12, Johnson allegedly threatened to “light Nashville up,” and again threatened Romney and Ryan.  

Records from the service provider traced the calls back to Johnson’s address in Ardmore, Tenn., near the Alabama border. Secret Service agents traveled to Huntsville, Ala., to interview him on July 18. Authorities say Johnson also admitted to leaving the messages during the interview.  

Johnson is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

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