YELLVILLE, Ark. — A 20-year-old Oakland man has been arrested following an investigation into threats allegedly made during an online multiplayer game, according to Marion County Sheriff Gregg Alexander.
Aaron Keith Bynum, 20, of Oakland, is charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, a Class D felony, and harassing communications, a Class A misdemeanor. His bond was set at $2,500.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began May 9, when the FBI National Threats Operations Center received an electronic tip reporting that a person in an online multiplayer game had threatened a mass shooting at a local Walmart if the country were locked down again due to Hantavirus. The tipster provided the player’s username and an in-game recording of the alleged threats.
A subpoena was issued May 11 to the game’s parent company, which identified Bynum as the owner of the account, according to the sheriff’s office. On May 13, the FBI Fayetteville Field Office contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and provided the information to its Criminal Investigation Division.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Bynum’s residence and a probable cause affidavit for his arrest on May 14. The following day, investigators served the search warrant and seized a computer and computer accessories while processing the scene, according to the sheriff’s office.
Bynum was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Marion County Detention Center, where he was booked and processed.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
