Threat targets also included law firms, government organizations, and Johnson County Attorney’s Office
Hunter
08/03/23
An Iowa City man who allegedly threatened to beat up a woman at his residence in May and to cause harm to the family of an assistant Johnson County attorney last month has been arrested after violating no-contact orders and threatening KCJJ, among others.
32-year-old Samuel McElmeel originally contacted the station on July 29th, demanding that articles written about the incidents be removed from our website. He also stated that a suit would be filed.
On Tuesday evening, McElmeel sent three emails that Iowa City Police described as harassing, annoying, alarming, and threatening in nature. The email’s recipients included KCJJ, individuals from law firms, government organizations, and the Johnson County Attorney’s office. In the emails, McElmeel again demanded that the stories be taken down or he would, quote, “end you and everything associated with you people for your lies.” He also said it was time for the broadcast towers to be taken down, telling KCJJ to “take it all down, liquidize your commie biz, and I won’t torture you all because of your abuse of power based on lies.”
One email to KCJJ even threatened that McElmeel would cut off an Iowa City Police officer’s genitals and feed them to him.
A warrant for McElmeel’s arrest was issued Wednesday, and he was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 6pm. He’s been charged with six violations of no-contact orders. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
The original stories written about McElmeel by KCJJ are included below.
Iowa City man charged after threatening woman
Hunter
05/12/23
An Iowa City man was taken into custody earlier this week when he reportedly threatened to beat up a woman at his residence.
Officers responded to the I street home of 32-year-old Samuel McElmeel at 3pm Wednesday at the request of another resident out of concerns that he had been issuing threatening messages. Upon arrival, they discussed the callers concerns with McElmeel.
After speaking to McElmeel, officers attempted to speak to the victim. McElmeel came out of the residence, looked toward the alleged victim, and stated as soon as the police left, he was going to, quote, “beat the ess out of her.” Officers stated in the arrest report that the victim was clearly intimidated and upset, and said she was afraid that once they left, McElmeel would assault her.
McElmeel was placed under arrest, and post-Miranda allegedly stated that he was actively trying to expose the woman victim to trauma and fear.
He was charged with 2nd degree Harassment, a serious misdemeanor. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.
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Transient accused of threatening to kill assistant county attorney’s family, “bomb America” and/or kill a child
Lang
6/17/23
A local transient faces charges that he threatened harm to the family of an assistant Johnson County attorney, then threatened to detonate bombs and/or kill a child.
32-year-old Samuel McElmeel was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 4pm Friday. Iowa City Police say McElmeel emailed an assistant Johnson County attorney on the morning of June 5th, claiming he would cut his face and rape his children. The email was reportedly filled with threats of violence, slurs and profanity.
McElmeel then allegedly sent emails to various law enforcement agencies across the United States on June 8th in which he threatened violence, including threats to “bomb America” or kill a child.
McElmeel is charged with 1st Degree Harassment and 3rd Degree Harassment. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of 25 months in jail.
McElmeel has previous harassment convictions.