Arcola mayor receives threatening package containing noose, police say

The mayor of a small town in Fort Bend County received a package on Tuesday containing a noose and a letter demanding he withdraw from the city’s upcoming mayoral election, according to the city’s police department.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Arcola Police Department said the “threatening package” was sent to Mayor Fred Burton and contained a paper reading “Get out of the race now!!” along with the noose. Investigators are asking those with information about the package to call 281-431-5205.

“This threat is being treated with the utmost seriousness and the Arcola Police Department has requested assistance from the FBI in investigating this criminal act,” the department said via social media.

Mayor Burton has not responded to a request for comment.

Over the last few months, the mayor has been repeatedly criticized for his attempts to oust a city councilwoman — a move that resulted in a lawsuit being filed against him — and for his questionable use of a private Facebook group to disseminate information to Arcola residents.

On top of all of this, he’s also seeking a third term as the city’s mayor.

Dr. Veeda Williams is gunning for Burton’s seat. Nearly two weeks ago, more drama ensued on social media after Burton posted a video to the city’s private Facebook group showing Williams’ campaign flyer being set on fire, according to the Houston Landing. The video was later taken down.

On Tuesday, Williams expressed her skepticism over the legitimacy of the package in a Facebook post.

“I hope this has not been staged for the sake of the election, but given all the lies and ugliness thus far, it’s not an unreasonable assumption at this point,” Williams wrote. “I, for one, do not want the mayor to drop out of the race. But when he loses, I do want him to step aside peacefully.”

Through a series of Facebook comments, Williams demanded that the package be DNA tested and questioned why the city would accept the package in the first place. Additionally, the package’s return address shows a P.O. box in “Scanton, Penn” — an address that does not exist.

On Wednesday morning, Arcola Police Chief Arika Carr-Bryant acknowledged the allegations and wrote that they had found “several inconsistencies with the package.” However, she emphasized that no city “policies or procedures were breached in receiving this package.”

“Rest assured, all criminal activities will be looked into by the Arcola Police Department,” the chief said.