A Marion man has been arrested for allegedly leaving a suspicious package at the entrance to the new Williamson County Jail and Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Benny Vick says 44-year-old Joseph S. Thomas is charged with a felony count of disorderly conduct and is being held pending a court appearance. The suspicious package was found early Tuesday morning at the entrance to the new Williamson County Jail and Sheriff's Office. Deputies located the package around 6 a.m. It was a silver-colored metallic briefcase, and had a note attached. The placement of the package and the note indicated that the package could be threatening. Local businesses and residents were evacuated.
The City of Carbondale/SIU Bomb Squad was contacted and its technicians were able to determine the package was empty at around 8:50 a.m. The Marion Police and Fire Departments as well as Lifeline Ambulance also assisted with the incident.
