A Walthall County man has pleaded guilty to two counts of making a terroristic threat.

On Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in the Walthall County Circuit Court, Joshua Allen Dawson pleaded guilty to the charges stemming from calling in bomb threats to Dexter Attendance Center on two separate occasions — once in March and once in September 2024.

Dawson was sentenced by Judge Michael Taylor to 10 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

“The actions of the defendant in this case will not be tolerant in our communities. This type of behavior puts not only our students and teachers in jeopardy, but countless other law enforcement agencies that are responding to these types of calls,” said District Attorney Brendon Adams. “We will not tolerate individuals that harass and put others in harm’s way.”

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community. This sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone that thinks inciting fear and terror in another person is not a serious crime. We consider the safety of our families, schools, churches, and law enforcement to be top priority,” Adams said. “I want to thank Sheriff Kyle Breland and the entire Walthall County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work and dedication to bringing the defendant to justice, as well as the Third District and Tylertown Fire Departments, and the Office of Homeland Security for their assistance in the case.”