OSKALOOSA – Authorities arrested a man yesterday who made multiple false bomb threats at different locations in Oskaloosa.

The Oskaloosa Police Department reports that on Tuesday, October 27, at around 8:05 AM, they began receiving reports of multiple bomb threats involving locations throughout the Oskaloosa community.

During the investigation, law enforcement determined that multiple threatening communications originated from the same source. Law enforcement and public safety personnel responded to the affected locations and conducted safety checks, and no explosive devices were found.

Investigators identified 33-year-old Joseph Williams of Des Moines as the individual believed to be responsible for the false reports. Williams was located by authorities in Waukee and taken into custody with the assistance of the Waukee Police Department.

Williams now faces 8 criminal charges as a result of this incident, including 5 counts of False Report of Explosive or Incendiary Device (Class D felonies) and 3 counts of 1st Degree Harassment (aggravated misdemeanors). He is currently being held in the Dallas County Jail.

The Oskaloosa Police Department was assisted during the investigation and response by the Iowa Division of Intelligence, Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Mahaska County Dispatch, Mahaska County Attorney’s Office, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Oskaloosa Fire Department, Des Moines Police Department, and Waukee Police Department.