A Roanoke Rapids man was arrested today for communicating threats of mass violence on educational property and possession of a firearm by a felon after the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Friday received information that he was making threats which included references to violence on school property.

The nature of those threats was not immediately clear and the sheriff’s office, as of this report, has not responded to further questions this evening seeking clarification.

What is known, according to a statement this evening by Major Anzell Harris, is that Troy Ferrell, 29, did not mention any specific school system or educational properties.

Detective A. Holland through investigation learned that the threats were tied to Ferrell of Frank Road.

Today detectives, patrol officers and the Halifax Regional Drug and Gang Task Force executed a search warrant at Ferrell’s residence and seized a shotgun.

Ferrell, who has a pending district court date on February 27, was jailed without the opportunity for bond and has a January 23 district court date for today’s charges.

In 2023 he received a suspended sentence for reckless driving concurrent to a suspended sentence for possession of schedule VI, according to the state Department of Adult Correction.

His probation and parole status is currently inactive.

On February 27 he is scheduled to appear in district court for possession of schedule I, assault by strangulation, domestic violence and assault on a female.

The schedule I charge stems from his arrest in January for possessing psychedelic mushrooms and the domestic charges stem from a call in April.

Harris said Holland, who was appointed as an FBI task force officer in October, will meet with agents later this week to discuss potential federal violations.