Jury Finds Calhoun Falls Man Guilty in Threat Case

GREENVILLE, S.C. —Johnathan C. McCaslan, 51, of Calhoun Falls, was found guilty by a federal jury of stalking, mailing threatening communications and perpetuating letter hoaxes.

Evidence presented to the jury showed that while McCaslan was in divorce proceedings, he attempted to have his wife arrested by sending threatening letters to a Calhoun Falls police officer and to the Calhoun Falls Police Department. Both letters contained a white powdery substance and were written to appear as if his wife was the author. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) twice deployed the bomb squad to investigate the powder, which law enforcement feared was fentanyl, anthrax, or another deadly substance. Fortunately, powder was harmless.

The SLED laboratory examined the letters and found McCaslan’s DNA on the stamps of the letter sent to the police officer. SLED investigators also determined that some of the information contained in the letters was known only by McCaslan and not his wife.

“The letter hoaxes in this case had the potential to have an innocent woman arrested for a crime she did not commit,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for this District of South Carolina. “Caslan’s criminal actions were a terrible abuse law enforcement resources, and we are committed to prosecuting such abuse.”

“The United States Postal Inspection Service is always proud to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who misuse the U.S. Mail, to elicit fear and frame the innocent victims we work so diligently to protect,” said US Postal Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the Atlanta Division.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community, and targeting law enforcement to frame someone for a crime is appalling,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “The hard-working professionals at SLED are subject matter experts committed to conducting thorough investigations. I’m grateful that no one was hurt, and that SLED could help find the facts that led to justice.”

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins presided over the trial and will sentence McCaslan after the United States Probation Office prepares a presentence report.  McCaslan faces a statutory maximum of five years on each of the four counts of the indictment.

This case was investigated by SLED and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Winston Marosek and Bill Watkins prosecuted the case. 

###