Man allegedly threatened social worker: ‘If I could drop a bomb on Frankfort, I would’

LOVELY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Martin County man has been charged after allegedly making threats during a “hostile” conversation with a social worker on July 2.

Kentucky State Police said Post 9 received a call around 5:30 p.m. from the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) regarding a possible perceived threat made to a social worker.

In an arrest citation, KSP noted that James Charles, 60, told a female social worker he didn’t like her. When she offered to transfer him to someone else due to his personal feelings about her, he expressed further disdain.

“I don’t like any of you,” Charles told the woman, according to the citation.

“If I could drop a bomb on Frankfort, I would,” Charles added, per KSP.

The citation noted that the woman told him he could not threaten the office, to which Charles clarified that he didn’t have a bomb.

“I don’t have one; it’s just a comment of my opinion,” Charles reportedly replied.

While listening to the recorded conversation, KSP said Charles was using profanity and acting “very irate” and hostile.

After speaking with a Martin County attorney, who confirmed charges could be filed against him, KSP said Charles was arrested at his home in Lovely.

He was booked into the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center and charged with first-degree terroristic threatening.

Court records show his $5,000 bond was posted on July 3, and he appeared in court for a hearing Tuesday morning. He was ordered to have no more contact with the DCBS office.