Arrest Made Following Bomb Threat at Georgia Pacific Plywood, According to Smith County Sheriffs

A swift response by law enforcement has led to the apprehension of a suspect in connection with a bomb threat reported at Georgia Pacific Plywood on July 5, 2024.

According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the threat, conveyed via text message, necessitated the immediate evacuation of employees from the facility just outside Taylorsville.

Smith County Investigators wasted no time in launching an investigation to pinpoint the individual responsible for the threat. Their efforts quickly bore fruit when 27-year-old Tobias Smith, hailing from Hattiesburg, MS, was taken into custody at the scene. Smith has since been charged with one count of Terroristic Threats and is currently detained at Smith County Jail pending a bond hearing.

Prior to employees being allowed to return to their duties, Mississippi Highway Patrol bomb dogs thoroughly combed the premises for any potential explosive materials, ensuring the safety of all personnel involved.

Sheriff Joel Houston of Smith County expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of Mississippi Homeland Security and the MHP K9 handlers, emphasizing their rapid response and assistance in managing the threat. Sheriff Houston underscored the serious nature with which such incidents are handled in Smith County, affirming a zero-tolerance policy towards threats of this nature.

While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the investigation remains active, with authorities not ruling out the possibility of additional charges as more information surfaces. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with pertinent information to come forward and aid in the ongoing investigation.

For further information or to report relevant details, individuals are urged to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (601) 782-4531.