LINN — Coby J. Williams, 20, of Linn, pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor second-degree harassment for impersonating Border Patrol at El Carnaval restaurant in Linn in January. Associate Circuit Judge Sonya Brandt entered an order suspending the imposition of sentence, instead ordering Williams to complete 50 hours of community service by May 5, and two years of unsupervised probation.

Williams was arrested by the Linn Police Department on Jan. 4, and originally charged with terrorist threat in the first degree (a class D felony), harassment in the first degree (a class E felony), and false impersonation of a law enforcement officer (a class A misdemeanor), but the charges were reduced after he entered a guilty plea.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Linn Police Officer Dustin Roberts, Osage County Dispatch received a call at approximately 7:41 p.m. on Jan. 4 from the restaurant reporting a threatening phone call. The caller allegedly claimed to be a law enforcement officer with U.S. Border Patrol and asked if “any illegals” were working at the location, and stated, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Court documents state the caller instructed staff to have all employees walk outside, place their hands on their heads, and get on their knees, warning that “things will get messy” if the instructions were not followed. At the time of the call, the business was open and serving customers, with at least 14 patrons and staff members inside the building.

Officer Roberts and Linn Police Sgt. Darrell Chrisenberry were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, they secured the area, entered the building, and made contact with employees to ensure the premises were clear and safe.

The affidavit states the call caused staff to believe there was an immediate threat to life and safety, and prompted law enforcement to respond as if a dangerous incident was underway.

Officers traced the incoming phone number to Williams and learned he was a student at State Tech. Williams was located at his student apartment by Osage County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Bell, who detained him until Roberts arrived.

Williams was transported to the Osage County Detention Center, where he agreed to speak with officers, according to court filings. During the interview, Williams admitted to making the phone call to the business and acknowledged falsely representing himself as a Border Patrol officer. Investigators reported Williams confirmed the statements made to employees during the call.

The affidavit states the interview was recorded on a body-worn camera and preserved as evidence.

In addition to the felony terrorist threat charge, prosecutors filed a harassment charge alleging Williams knowingly engaged in conduct intended to cause emotional distress to the victim. A separate misdemeanor count alleges Williams falsely impersonated a law enforcement officer to induce compliance from the business and its employees.

Court records indicate Williams has no prior criminal history. However, due to the nature of the alleged offenses, Judge Brandt issued a no-bond arrest warrant citing concerns related to public safety and the seriousness of the alleged threat.

Under Missouri law, a first-degree terrorist threat involves communicating a threat intended to frighten multiple people or cause the evacuation or closure of a building or facility.