MACON, Georgia — A former security officer for the Democratic Senatorial Committee Campaign (DSCC) has pleaded guilty to threatening to bomb the DSCC headquarters in Athens-Clarke County while US Senators from Georgia were in town for campaign events.
Jessica Diane Higginbotham aka Jessica Harriod aka Jessica Jones, 35, of Elberton, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of communicating a bomb today before US District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III. Higginbotham faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for September 7th.
“The bomb threat was made by an employee of a political organization days before a federal election in Georgia; “This incident was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace and disrupt the democratic process,” said US Attorney Peter D. Leary. “The immediate response and seamless cooperation at all levels of law enforcement protected the community and helped bring the accused to justice.”
“The FBI takes all life-threatening matters very seriously,” said Keri Farley, Acting Special Agent for the FBI Atlanta. “This admission of guilt demonstrates the FBI’s determination to hold accountable anyone who attempts to intimidate officials and undermine the foundations of our democracy. It also shows that threatening others with violence and physical violence will have serious consequences.”
“The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in our community. This incident was a serious and worrying matter; however, thanks to the quick response and concerted effort, the threat was successfully investigated.” and the person responsible was arrested,” said ACCPD Police Commissioner Jerry Saulters. “We will continue to work diligently to protect our community and uphold the values that unite us. Acts of violence and threats have no place in our society, and we stand united against those who seek to harm others or disrupt our democratic processes.”
According to court documents, at 6:01 p.m. on December 3, 2022, an employee of the DSCC in Athens received a text message: “Hello, I am writing you this message to let you know that I will be over either tonight or in the morning to plant a bomb ignite. So I can blow up all the Democrats. I also have other people who go to other offices. If I can’t stop you by breaking in and destroying the property, I’ll blow everyone up. So be prepared to get blown up. This will happen either tonight or tomorrow morning. I hope you like being on the wrong team.”
The FBI immediately began investigating the threat, and Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) officers responded within the threat area. The US Senate runoff was scheduled for December 6 and elected officials were in Athens to attend campaign events, including the two US Senators from Georgia on December 4. FBI agents utilized a number of Emergency Disclosure Requests (EDRs). discovered that the mobile phone belonged to the defendant, who was also employed as a contract security officer for the DSCC. The U.S. Capitol Police also investigated the bomb threat and independently determined that the bomb threat was sent from Higginbotham’s cellphone.
On December 4, FBI task force officers located Higginbotham, cellphone in hand, at a coffee shop in Athens. When she saw the officers approaching her, she threw up. She initially denied sending the bomb threat. A federal search warrant was issued on her cell phone, linking the email account used for the bomb threat to her. While investigating the bomb threat, officials learned that the DSCC building in Athens was burgled on November 27 and a DSCC laptop was stolen. At the time of the burglary, investigators determined that the burglary appeared to be staged as tables were turned over but the building was locked and there was no evidence of forced entry. Investigators later recovered the stolen laptop containing Higginbotham’s personal belongings. Higginbotham now admits she deliberately used a mobile phone to threaten to kill or injure people and to unlawfully destroy a building with an explosive.
The case was investigated by the FBI, the US Capitol Police, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant Detective Chief Will R. Keyes is in charge of the case.
