Lavonia Woman Charged With Threatening Collins

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A Lavonia woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges she threatened the life of U.S. Representative Doug Collins and his daughter.

Pam Spivey of Augusta Road in Lavonia was indicted on two counts of making terroristic threats.

According to Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle, it happened the evening of August 31st at the Raceway on Jones St. in Lavonia.

“She was apparently upset with some actions or lack of actions by U.S. Representative Doug Collins,” Carlisle said. “She expressed those displeasures to another local resident recently and in that conversation made death threats against the Congressman and his daughter.”

Carlisle said Spivey told a friend that she was upset about what she called the Medicare Death Panel and claimed her recently deceased father had been murdered by them.

The witness went on to tell police Spivey then allegedly said Rep. Collins supported the so-called Death Panels.

That is when, according to the witness, Spivey said she had a gun and would kill Collins and his daughter, who is disabled, in retaliation for the death of her father.

The friend then alerted Lavonia Police. Carlisle said an investigation began immediately. Spivey was arrested later that night.

Carlisle said he then alerted the FBI.

“I’ve been in contact with the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI who are conducting their own investigation,” he said. “Pam Spivey has been charged locally with two counts of making terroristic threats. She was also indicted yesterday (Tuesday) by the federal grand jury for making terroristic threats to a federal official and a federal official’s family member.”

After her arrest on August 31, Carlisle said Spivey was taken to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital for evaluation, then later transferred to another facility at an undisclosed location.

Carlisle says Spivey, who has a history of mental illness, remains in custody.

“Make no mistake, Ms. Spivey remains in custody,” Carlisle said. “We are in constant contact with Rep. Collins’ office to make sure they are updated on what’s going on. She (Spivey) is getting proper treatment at this time. There will be a hold placed on her by the federal authorities. Once the local charges here have been resolved, federal agents will take custody of her.”

On Wednesday, Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White said he has turned the entire case over to the FBI and Capitol Police and does not plan to pursue local charges against Spivey.

Meantime, Collins’ spokesperson Katy Summerlin said they are monitoring the situation but have not increased security around the Congressman.

“Not at the moment,” Summerlin said. “Of course we are working the Capitol Police and the FBI and we are cooperating fully with their investigation. We just hope this matter can get resolved as soon as possible.”

Spivey is due to be returned to Franklin County later this week where she will be held in the Franklin County Detention Center, according to Carlisle.