COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A Washington state man was jailed after being accused of threatening to bomb the home of a Metro Atlanta animal services director, according to Cobb County police.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Mativa James Taoipu, 36, of Silverdale, Washington, is accused of sending an email in July to Cobb County Animal Services Director Stephen Hammond that included a bomb threat.
According to an arrest warrant, investigators say Taoipu wrote, “I’m going to bomb your house, Steve,” and called Hammond an “animal serial killer.”
Police have not said what prompted the alleged threat or identified a motive.
TRENDING STORIES:
- 2 brothers shot, killed after fight over football game days ago, mother say
- Georgia teen dead after collapsing while playing soccer
- Georgia mom killed in four-wheeler crash
Investigators said the source of the threat was about 2,600 miles away from Cobb County.
The warrant does not indicate where Taoipu was arrested or which law enforcement agency made the arrest. He later spent time in the Cobb County Detention Center and bonded out last week.
It was not immediately clear whether Taoipu will be returned to Cobb County to face prosecution.
Hammond could not be reached for comment Monday because Animal Services was closed
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
