Man Arrested for Terroristic Threats
On Sunday, July 30th, the Parsons Police Department received a troubling call from a man reporting that he would shoot police officers and utilize explosives to blow up the judicial center. In response to the serious nature of the call, Parsons Police Officers were promptly dispatched to the 1800 block of Clark, where the caller was.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers established contact with the caller, identified as Jeromy Ray Heiskell, aged 39, residing in Parsons. Employing appropriate protocols, officers utilized the public announcement (PA) system on their patrol car to instruct Jeromy to exit the residence. He complied with the instructions and was subsequently apprehended without incident. Heiskell was taken into custody and transported to the Parsons Police Department.
The Parsons Police Department will be seeking charges against Jeromy Heiskell from the Labette County Attorney's Office, which include Criminal Threat and Terrorism. During the search of the residence officers located ammunition, which Jeromy is prohibited from possessing as he is a convicted felon.
It is important to note that Jeromy Heiskell has a history of felony convictions dating back to 2003. Presently, he is on Community Corrections as part of a 2022 plea agreement for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Threat, and 3 counts of Interference with Law Enforcement. Additionally, Heiskell is facing another felony case for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, pending in Labette County District Court.
Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "I feel like I am having to repeat the same phrases every week as we arrest repeat offenders for various crimes. I know I am getting tired of saying it probably as much as the public is as tired of hearing it, but not nearly as much as my officers are tired of dealing with it. Accountability for convicted felons needs to be upheld in the court system. We will never arrest people to the point of them deciding to do the right thing. True reform must start somewhere and when it fails and fails again, it is time to change how we reform. Albert Einstein is credited with the saying about the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I think that sums up our current situation quite well. Time has come for us to make some changes as a society and stop waiting for someone to actually assault or kill innocent people for us to react differently."
This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.
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