Incident Overview.
Federal agents apprehended a Houston resident in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, following accusations of making violent threats over several weeks against various individuals, including a state governor, a deputy U.S. Marshal, and local attorneys along with their families. This information comes from a recently unsealed federal criminal complaint.
Target of Threats.
The threats were specifically directed at Texas Governor **Greg Abbott**, as revealed by emails obtained by KPRC 2.
Arrest Details.
The individual, Henry Kopia Keculah Jr., who was once seen as a promising figure in Houston’s education sector, now faces three federal charges: influencing a federal official through threats, cyberstalking, and making interstate threats. In a now-deleted YouTube video, Keculah made alarming statements, including threats of violence against the daughter of Greg and Angela Marcum, who have been targeted for about three weeks following a legal dispute involving Keculah.
Background of the Legal Dispute.
The conflict arose after attorney Greg Marcum successfully defended a contractor in a lawsuit filed by Keculah regarding a denied insurance claim for water damage, which Marcum claimed Keculah had caused. Keculah has been ordered to pay over $200,000 in damages and legal fees.
Escalation of Threats.
Keculah’s threats escalated from emails to direct threats made via phone calls to other attorneys involved in the case. He allegedly warned one attorney that they would need security because “people are gonna start dying.”
Legal Proceedings and Arrest.
During the lawsuit proceedings, a federal judge issued a bench warrant for Keculah, who was seen fleeing his home when authorities attempted to serve the warrant. Following this, he sent threatening emails to multiple individuals, including a deputy U.S. Marshal, stating he would “light your a** up like a Christmas tree!”
In response to a post by Governor Abbott regarding wildfire resources, Keculah allegedly suggested that being in the same room as the governor would be akin to a successful assassination attempt. His social media account was subsequently suspended, and the governor’s security detail was notified.
Conclusion.
Keculah was arrested in Virginia on Friday, just a day after the warrant was issued and approximately three weeks after the threats began. The Marcums expressed relief at his arrest but were unsettled by the proximity of Keculah to their daughter during the threatening period. Keculah had previously been wanted in Harris County for similar allegations, but those cases were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
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