Local man arrested for Louisiana bomb threat

Robert Clemmons

Local and federal authorities arrested a Russellville man this past week in connection with a bomb threat made to a popular religious ministry in November, officials said.

Robert Todd Clemmons, 36, of Russellville, was arrested Wednesday evening on a terrorizing charge out of Louisiana after he allegedly called in a bomb threat on Nov. 21 to Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which is located in Baton Rouge, La.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by officials with the U.S. Marshal’s Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force, who had been alerted by Louisiana authorities that Clemmons was the one who made the call.

“Apparently after the threat was made, local authorities began investigating the case and eventually tracked the phone number the threat came from to Clemmons,” Oliver said.

“Louisiana authorities contacted the U.S. Marshal’s office to let them know the call came from Franklin County, and the U.S. Marshal’s office contacted us to assist in the arrest on Wednesday.”

Oliver said Clemmons allegedly made the threat after becoming angry over something that was said on the televised religious program.

“We think he got upset and called the program to tell them there was a bomb in the studio that would blow up in 15 minutes,” Oliver said.

“Law enforcement had to evacuate the studio and they also had to evacuate a nearby school and other places in the surrounding area.

“This was something they took very seriously. These days, you can’t be too careful when you receive a threat like that.”

Oliver said U.S. Marshal’s and sheriff’s deputies picked Clemmons up Wednesday evening at a residence located at 7836 Franklin 48 in Russellville.

Oliver said arrangements have already been made to transfer Clemmons to Louisiana where he will face the criminal charges.