Man charged with death threat against NC senator behind shrimping ban, warrant shows

SUPPLY, N.C. (WNCN) — A Brunswick County man is facing a felony charge in connection with death threats made against a state senator, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said Tuesday.

According to the NCSBI, 44-year-old Anthony Wayne Street of Supply was arrested on June 20 following an investigation into threatening social media posts about state legislators.

A warrant filed by the NCSBI shows Street is accused of specifically threatening to kill state Sen. Bill Rabon of Brunswick County on Facebook on June 18. An additional 40 unspecified state senators were also allegedly threatened.

In the post, according to the warrant, Street “warned” Rabon and other state senators they “deserve to lose [their] lives”. He also allegedly referenced the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman earlier this month, saying “all senators in Raleigh need to understand what happened to Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman in Minnesota can happen here in North Carolina.”

The post has since been deleted.

Street is charged with threatening a legislative agent, a felony offense, according to court records.

Court records show Street was released on June 21 on $2,000 secured bond. During his first appearance in Brunswick County Court on Monday, according to the NCSBI, he was taken back into custody after his bond was increased to $25,000 secured.

On June 17, the day before the alleged threats, Rabon amended House Bill 442, which seeks to restore recreational fishing for flounder and red snapper in North Carolina, to “prohibit the use of trawl nets to take shrimp in coastal fishing waters or the Atlantic Ocean within one-half mile of the shoreline”.

The proposed trawling ban has been met with protests from coastal fishermen.

Although the alleged threats were not directly linked to the bill, Street made several posts on his Facebook opposing the proposed ban and expressing support for shrimping just days after Rabon made the amendment. In one post, he said he contacted Rabon urging him to not support the legislation.

Street is a member of the Brunswick County Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Following his arrest, the district issued the following statement:

“The Brunswick Soil and Water Conservation District strongly condemns any expression of violence, intimidation, or threatening language directed toward any public official, including members of the North Carolina General Assembly.

“As stewards of our natural resources and representatives of the public interest, we believe that civil discourse, mutual respect, and adherence to lawful conduct are essential to a functioning democracy. Threats of violence—whether verbal, written, or implied—have no place in our community and undermine the principles of public service and civic engagement.

“We stand firmly in support of all individuals’ right to participate in the democratic process without fear of harm or retribution. Our board and staff remain committed to working collaboratively with state and local leaders to protect and improve the soil, water, and environmental health of Brunswick County.”

The district said Street remains a member of the board as of Tuesday.

“We only learned of this event last Thursday,” district Director Elliot Swain said “We have been staying up-to-date as best as possible. The board is aware of what has transpired. They are appalled by what has been said by Mr. Street and condemn his threatening language. The board is taking into consideration further action as a result of this event.”

Street is also a two-time candidate for North Carolina State Auditor. He won the Republican nomination in 2020, losing to Democratic incumbent Beth Wood in the general election.