Schuylkill County Man Allegedly Threatened HR Manager and to Blow Up Business

A Schuylkill County man working as a temp at a business in Highridge Business Park is facing criminal charges after he allegedly threatened to execute an HR manager and her family as well as blow up the business.

State Police say they were called to the Saks OFF 5TH distribution center at Highridge on New Year’s Eve for a report of an employee making threats.

The threats were allegedly being made by Justin Simmons, 27, of Tuscarora, who was working there as a temporary employee. Simmons made the threats after management tried to fire him because of his behavior to that point.

Prior to New Year’s Eve, Simmons was described as quiet but on that day, he allegedly started acting strangely. According to eyewitness reports to police, Simmons allegedly started telling co-workers that he’d been hired by George Washington and working as an undercover IRS agent.

After hearing these complaints from employees, management at Saks decided to end Simmons’ temporary employment there.

When Simmons was told of his termination, he allegedly did not take it well. He allegedly told a supervisor that he was going to “(bleeping) blow this place up.”

He then directed his anger toward an HR director there and allegedly said, “”I’m gonna put a bullet through your head; I’m gonna put a bullet through your husband’s head; I’m gonna tie your son up and I’m going to tie him off, take him into the woods and kick him down a coal mine.”

Simmons further detailed his threats by saying he’d use a bullet to carry out his threat that “only the Feds use.”

After the interaction, Simmons eventually left the business and walked down its driveway. Police say the lobby of the business was temporarily placed on lockdown.

SImmons has been charged with misdemeanor counts of making terroristic threats and harassment as well as a summary offense for disorderly conduct.

A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel is scheduled for Feb. 12.

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