A Columbus woman who threatened to blow up the Department of Human Services on College Street is in custody.
Police arrested Roschell Cotton, 39, of 214 Taylor Street, at her home Thursday at about 4 p.m., said CPD Capt. Brent Swan. Cotton allegedly called in threats earlier this week to harm a DHS employee working on Cotton’s case. She also threatened to blow up the building, according to a press release from CPD. Cotton knew the DHS employee who fielded the phone call, Swan said, though he added the employee she spoke to was not the same employee she specifically threatened.
Cotton has a pending case with DHS, the press release reads. Swan declined to comment on the details of the case.
Cotton is being charged with simple assault against a government employee and making a false bomb threat, both felonies. She will likely go before a municipal court judge today, Swan said.
Threatening a DHS employee carries the same status as threatening teachers, firefighters and emergency responders, Swan said.
DHS reported Cotton’s threatening call to the CPD early Thursday afternoon. CPD worked with the District Attorney Scott Colom’s office to determine what charges to level against Cotton.
Representatives with DHS declined to comment this morning.
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