Branson Man Indicted for Threatening Sheriff’s Department

Joshua L. Bippert, 26, was charged in a single-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on March 23, 2021. The indictment was unsealed and made public on Tuesday, March 30, following Bippert’s arrest and initial court appearance.

The federal indictment alleges that Bippert communicated the threat over the internet to the Sheriff’s Department between Sept. 20 and 21, 2020.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the FBI and the Los Angeles County, Calif., Sheriff’s Department.