An Obama supporter suspected of making death threats against Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio after the maverick lawman launched an investigation into the president's eligibility was arrested today.
Deputies in Knoxville, Tenn., working with Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies, served a search warrant and seized computer and other evidence from the home of Adam Eugene Cox, 33, following an investigation into an Internet death threat against Arpaio that came to light in October.
As WND previously reported, the Internet-posted death threats read in part: "I plan to kill Arpaio first. He will be filled with a thousand bullet holes before the year is out. I promise you this. He won't f*** with Obama. He will be buried 10 feet under and his whole family will be murdered along with him."
Advertisement - story continues below
Arpaio told WND that he intends to pursue to completion the Cold Case Posse investigation into Obama's eligibility to be president launched last September after being petitioned by Maricopa County residents who are members of the Tea Party in Surprise, Ariz.
"I will not be intimidated against pursing this investigation into Obama's eligibility to serve as president of the United States," Arpaio said.
TRENDING: WATCH: 'I learned to be trans in church,' fashion model says
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in a press release Friday revealed that the suspect's Internet postings indicate he is an avid supporter of Obama and that Arpaio's ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of Obama's birth certificate may be behind the threat to kill the sheriff.
According to Knox County sheriff's deputies, Cox has a history of assault.
Advertisement - story continues below
Cox death threats are among others made against Arpaio, including several by Mexican drug cartels that have placed a contract of nearly $4 million dollars for his execution.
Friday's arrest, however, is tied to the first death threat received by the sheriff regarding the Obama investigation.
"Every threat will be taken seriously, and the sheriff knows that his position often attracts threats, but he draws the line when his family is threatened," said Deputy Chief David Trombi, whose detectives have overseen investigations of threats against Arpaio.
The threats made by Cox took Maricopa sheriff's deputies from Arizona to California, where search warrants were served on Google headquarters, and subsequently to Knoxville, where Cox was arrested.
