A San Antonio man is in custody after a voicemail allegedly threatened to have a bomb planted in the mayor’s office, according to court documents. The message, left for the Mayor’s Office around 6:52 p.m. Thursday, warned, “I will have the Mexican drug cartel plant a bomb in your office if you don't clear the food in this area,” an affidavit states. Police later arrested 43-year-old Kendall Durand, who is charged with making a terroristic threat and impeding public service. He is being held at the Comal County Jail while the investigation continues.
How Investigators Say They Traced The Call
San Antonio detectives say they connected the voicemail number to Durand using public records, then “pinged” the phone and found the device at his address. The affidavit also says New Braunfels police reported that Durand made similar threatening comments to staff at an animal hospital the day before.
Those investigative steps and the criminal counts were laid out in a police affidavit obtained by local reporters, as reported by WOAI.
Mayor Jones' Office Was The Target
The voicemail was directed at Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' office. City information lists Jones as San Antonio's mayor and provides contact details for the Mayor's Office at City Hall, which handles constituent calls and the mayor’s scheduling. For official mayoral contact information, see the City of San Antonio.
What The Charges Could Mean
Under Texas law, a terroristic-threat charge can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the target and the impact of the threat. A person can be charged for threatening violence intended to cause fear, disrupt use of a public place or put a substantial group of the public in fear. Penalties vary by subsection and can include prison time for more serious violations.
Prosecutors will decide which provision best fits the alleged conduct. A summary of Texas Penal Code section 22.07 is available at Justia.
Investigation Still Active
Authorities say Durand was booked and remains in custody at the Comal County Jail in New Braunfels while prosecutors review the case. The facility is listed as the county’s main detention center for people held on local charges.
Investigators have asked anyone with information or video from the relevant dates to contact law enforcement as the probe continues. Facility details are available from the Comal County Sheriff's Office.
