PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A Pike County man is facing charges in both Pike District Court and federal court, after allegedly threatening an FBI agent.
Court records say Gabriel Howell, 45, of Meta, went to the home of FBI agent Randy Copley back in December, saying he wanted to report a crime. Copley, who was on leave at the time, directed him to call the FBI to make his report, and Howell thanked him and left.
On the afternoon of March 30, Copley spotted Howell driving by his house, then a couple of hours later noticed his mailbox had been heavily damaged. A large metal pipe was left in the mailbox, along with a note written on a receipt saying, “You’ve got mail, guess who. It’s not a game. It’s people’s life’s.” [sic]
Copley immediately suspected the note and vandalism came from Howell, so he went ask him about it at his home the next day. Howell allegedly admitted leaving the note and damaging the mailbox during that conversation.
Around 2:30 a.m., April 8, Howell returned to Copley’s home and rang the bell on his gate. Because of the odd hour and the previous threatening encounter, Copley immediately reported the incident to Kentucky State Police, then went outside and held Howell at gunpoint until police arrived.
Howell was arrested for an outstanding warrant and also charged with trespassing.
During questioning, he reportedly told officers he had information about a murder and corruption that he wanted to report to Copley, and he was angry because he felt he had been blown off and he damaged the mailbox to send a message. He reportedly told police he wanted Copley to feel afraid and he returned to his home early in the morning to get him to investigate his allegations.
Howell has now been charged in federal court with influencing a federal official by threat. That charge carries a sentence of up to six years in prison, if he is convicted.
Howell is being held in the Pike County Detention Center.
