An obscenity-laced threat of violence sent to Sumpter Township Supervisor Tim Bowman by a political candidate has been referred to the police department for investigation.
Sheena Barnes, 62, the democratic candidate for township treasurer, sent the explicit and racial epithet filled threat to Bowman last week and it was automatically recorded.
After hearing the recording, which includes physical threats against Bowman and his wife, he referred the recording to the police department, citing harassment, intimidation and the stated physical threat.
Sumpter Township Police Chief Eric Luke confirmed that there is currently an investigation of a complaint filed by the supervisor against a local resident but said the department would have no comment at this stage of the investigation. The findings, Luke said, would be sent on to the prosecutor's office for a determination of charges in the matter.
Bowman said he suspected, from the timing and content of the harangue, that Barnes may have been responding to a recent effort of township officials to ensure that all businesses were compliant with local ordinances. He said that several business owners, including Barnes, were sent letters reminding them that all township businesses were required to obtain a permit.
Bowman said he believes that Barnes may have felt she was being singled out for the request for compliance, although her Sumpter Road barbeque business has not been licensed since 2018, according to township records.
Barnes has operated the barbeque business from a trailer on her property for about 35 years. She is a lifelong resident of the township and was previously unsuccessful in separate bids for election as a trustee and township clerk. She was appointed to a trustee position in 2018 and served a partial term on the township board.
The majority of the content of Barnes' message to Bowman, provided to The Eagle, is vulgar and includes racial slurs and an explicitly violent threat against both him and his wife along with multiple sexual references.
In a prepared statement, Bowman said he suspects that the verbal assault may have also been prompted by legal action he has threatened against Township Trustee Peggy Morgan, “a close friend of Sheena Barnes.”
Bowman said the provocative and epithet-riddled nature of the message prompted his report to the police. He said he was shocked by the vulgarity of the language used by Barnes, along with her racial epithets, sexual references and threats of physical violence.
Luke said he anticipated the police investigation would take about a week.
Barnes did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
