Photo: Ronald Alexander Branscum
A threatening voicemail message led law enforcement inside and outside the Mountain View Walmart Tuesday, as well as on the roadways, looking for vehicles belonging to the individual who allegedly made the phone call.
According to the probable cause affidavit, 41-year-old Ronald Alexander Branscum of Batesville was taken into custody at his residence by Independence County law enforcement and transported to the Stone County Detention Center.
The arrest followed an assistant manager at the Mountain View retailer alerting law enforcement to the voicemail he received from Branscum, who was identified as his brother.
In the voicemail law enforcement heard, Branscum allegedly expresses frustration that his brother will not talk to him. He goes on to say he has a plan, and it wouldn’t take him 45 minutes to travel to Mountain View. Branscum reportedly says he has “five clips with 140 rounds each plus 100 pounds of ammo that’ll fit in a backpack.” He then allegedly says to his brother to “do the math” and determine how many people will be dead.
During an interview with law enforcement, Branscum said he has had issues with his brother for 10 years since their father passed away.
After hearing the voicemail, Branscum reportedly said he doesn’t remember making the phone call.
The Independence County man consented to a search of his cellphone, with officers taking photographs of several Facebook posts and chats, including one he made shortly after the phone call to his brother. In the post, he allegedly says, “…my plans are in order, and nobody can stop me now…”
Branscum was charged with a felony count of terroristic threatening and a misdemeanor count of harassing communications.
Online jail records indicate he has been released from jail, after posting at $15,000 bond.
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