This story has been updated with new information.
GCSU student Nicholas Wimbish was arrested Monday for allegedly threatening poll workers in Jones County. According to the U.S. Department of Justice press release, charges against Wimbish include making a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter and making false statements to the FBI.
Wimbish was reportedly working in a polling station when he got into a “verbal altercation” with someone. The next day, Wimbish, pretending to be a concerned local voter, sent a letter of complaint to the Jones County Elections Superintendent.
Throughout the letter, Wimbish made several menacing remarks, including threats of physical and sexual violence against other poll workers. He enclosed a threat alluding to a bomb, written in messy, childlike scribbles.
“PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe,” the note said.
Wimbish is currently in the Master of Public Administration program at GCSU. This semester, he has remained an active member of the Forensics Team, competing with fellow students as recently as Oct. 26. In September, Wimbish facilitated a Times Talk called “What should election administrators and lawmakers do to make voters feel confident in election results?”
According to Wimbish’s LinkedIn profile, he has been an intern and poll manager in Jones County since January. Upon completing his undergraduate political science degree with GCSU in May 2024, Wimbish’s LinkedIn also says he was awarded the Outstanding Political Science Major recognition. He was also one of the first students enrolled in GCSU’s recently added Election Administration Certificate program.
“The university will continue to monitor the matter as the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia in Macon moves it forward,” GCSU University Communications said in a statement this morning.
9:30 a.m. update: In a 9:25 a.m. statement from University Communications, the school says it will conduct an internal investigation as more details become available.
