TLDR
Kentucky deputies arrested 56-year-old James D. Bell after churchgoers reported he entered a London sanctuary and threatened to kill congregants, including children. He now faces terroristic threatening and related charges, with a March 17th hearing set to examine the incident.
On a Sunday afternoon in Laurel County, Kentucky, a worship service shifted into an emergency when congregants reported that a man came into their church and announced that he was there to kill, targeting children. No weapon was found, but the allegations quickly became a criminal case.
The man, identified by the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office as 56-year-old James D. Bell, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree disorderly conduct, and alcohol intoxication in a public place. Court records show he was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center and arraigned the next day.
Disputed Words Inside the Sanctuary
According to an account described by Law and Crime, deputies said multiple church members reported that Bell stated he was there to kill people and that he would kill the children. Congregants moved children out of the main sanctuary while at least one member called 911.
The church’s pastor, however, later told deputies he did not personally hear any threat. Instead, he reported that Bell asked for help and claimed to be possessed by a demon. Other members were reportedly praying for Bell when deputies arrived, setting up an early divide in how the encounter is described.
Deputies’ Response and Arrest
Laurel County Sheriff John Root said deputies reached the church, identified in local reporting as Campground Pentecostal Church near London, to find congregants attempting to de-escalate the situation. Deputies noted the odor of alcohol, Bell’s slurred speech, and concluded that he was under the influence.
Investigators did not recover any weapon from Bell at the church. Even so, his alleged statements were treated as sufficient to justify terroristic threatening and disorderly conduct charges, along with the alcohol intoxication count that reflects deputies’ assessment of his condition in a public place.
What the Charges Could Mean
Under Kentucky law, second-degree terroristic threatening is a felony offense generally applied when someone is accused of making serious threats against life or safety. Prosecutors do not need to prove that the person had a weapon at the time, only that the threat was intentionally made.
The preliminary hearing set for March 17th is expected to focus on whether available testimony supports each element of the charges, including what was actually said inside the sanctuary and how congregants perceived it. Any later filings may also clarify whether Bell’s alleged intoxication or claimed spiritual distress affects how courts interpret his words.
No injuries were reported at the church, but the case now moves from a brief, chaotic encounter into a formal criminal process. As witness accounts are tested in court, the record will determine whether Bell’s alleged words meet Kentucky’s standard for a felony terroristic threatening conviction.
