A Hattiesburg man has been arrested and charged in connection to a bomb threat that led to an evacuation at a plywood plant outside of Taylorsville.
Tobias Smith, 27, was taken into custody by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office after the threat was made via text message toward Georgia Pacific Plywood on Friday. Employees were forced to evacuate the premises as bomb dogs were brought in by the Mississippi Highway Patrol to search for explosive chemicals.
Shortly after the evacuation, Smith was identified as the individual responsible for the threat and arrested on the scene. He was charged with one count of terroristic threats and is in custody at the Smith County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
“Sheriff Joel Houston expressed his gratitude to the Mississippi Homeland Security and the MHP K9 handlers with the bomb dogs for their prompt assistance with the threat,” a social media post from the SCSO read. “Sheriff Houston stressed that such threats are treated with the utmost seriousness and will not be tolerated in Smith County.”
The post added that the investigation continues, and additional charges may be brought as more information comes to light. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact SCSO at (601)782-4531.
