FBI Dislikes Facebook Threats, Arrest IB Man

Updated 4:43 p.m.

FBI agents and sheriff’s deputies arrested an Imperial Beach man at his home in the 1200 block of Downing Street Wednesday on suspicion of violating federal interstate stalking laws including making threats on Facebook, authorities said.

Daphne Hearn, FBI special agent in charge, said James Howard Wheeler of IB faces charges related to incidents involving his estranged wife.

Wheeler told his wife in voicemails that if the FBI tried to arrest him he wouldn't go without a fight, an affidavit said.

One of the voicemails "states in part that if officers' return or try to remove him from the residence they should bring a 'lot of ammo.' Mr. Wheeler also verbalizes his intent to not be removed from his residence unless in a 'body bag," the document said.

A complaint filed by his wife said she was threatened by Wheeler on the phone and on Facebook after she moved from San Diego to Columbus, GA, as the two went through a divorce.

Wheeler also threatened her mother and son, his wife said.

A sheriff's deputy and a FBI agent interviewed Wheeler at his Imperial Beach residence last August and he admitted to posting threatening communications on the social media site, according to the FBI. He was told to cease the threatening behavior, but allegedly continued to make threats of violence involving physical injury toward his estranged wife.

At that point, the FBI's Atlanta Field Office sought and obtained a federal arrest warrant charging Wheeler with interstate stalking.

Threats made by Wheeler on Facebook include:

• "Planning my trip to Georgia. Gonna teach a few people some manners!"
• "What are the odds that one family has 2 Lifetime movies made after their story?"
• "People can run but they can't hide. See you soon."
• "Stay tuned to WRBL In Columbus. Wheeler is going to be famous."

The mention of a Lifetime movie was because a member of her family was in fact part of a made for TV movie.

"Per Ms. Wheeler, the reference to a 'Lifetime movie' is in regards to the fact that a television movie was in fact produced regarding a member of her family who attempted to solicit a contract for the murder of her father," the affidavit said.

Wheeler also sent his wife a picture of a gun and an email with the subject line that plainly states "I hope you are dead."

FBI agents in San Diego and Atlanta conducted the investigation and a U.S. District Court in Georgia issued the arrest warrant.

Following his arrest, Wheeler was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego.

City News Service contributed to this report.