Kentucky man accused of threatening Gov. Beshear had grenades, assault rifles, feds say

A Kentucky man is facing federal charges after making threats to Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky State Police troopers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Kentucky.

Jeremiah Wooley, 25, made his threats on a social media platform under a false name, court records show. The nature of his threats was not stated.

When state police arrested Wooley, of Kevil, he had two handguns in his possession and a search warrant revealed many more guns and weapons at his home.

There were 12 additional firearms, including a 50 caliber rifle, assault style firearms, shotguns and handguns, at his residence, records show. Several of the loaded guns were in arms reach of children, ages 10, 7 and 5 years old, according to an arrest citation.

Wooley also had approximately 50 hand grenades in a bucket in his bedroom, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. All but one of the grenades were rendered inert.

“However, one of the grenades had the hull-hole welded shut, and boxes in the same room contained all of the necessary components to complete and assemble the grenade, including black powder, time fuses, electric matches ammunition primers, and grenade spoons, safety pins and spring cock strikers,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

His federal possession of an unregistered firearm charge faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail. He also faces terroristic threatening, wanton endangerment and possession of marijuana charges, court records show.

U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman said the arrest was a collaboration between the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, state police and his own office.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FBI in Kentucky is especially grateful for the strong law enforcement partnerships throughout the commonwealth,” FBI Special Agent In-Charge Robert Brown Jr. said in a statement. “This investigation is a great example of law enforcement working side by side to keep Americans safe.”

Wooley was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.