MASON CITY – A convicted drug criminal who was irate about a published report of him being accused of meth crimes boldly threatened today to blow up NIT headquarters and kill everyone inside – and was cited and released by police (not even taken to jail).
The incident took place Tuesday afternoon at about 1 PM, when 28-year-old Andrew Dean Williams arrived at NIT headquarters and pounded on the front door. Â NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt, working inside, answered the door and Williams took a fighting stance and screamed that a story on NIT about Williams being caught with meth was “all wrong”.
“You got my age and town wrong!” Williams yelled after he gave his entire first, middle and last name. Â “You better take that story down, or I will blow up this building. Â I will kill you!”
It turns out, Williams was irate over an NIT report from back in September of 2015, when Williams was caught by a Cerro Gordo deputy with meth as he drove through town.  He later pled guilty and was sent to jail for two days and ordered to pay $660.25 in fines and court fees.  He never paid in full, and his wages were garnished.  He possibly read that today before embarking on his ill-advised invasion, and neglected to notice the story was from 2 years ago.
After Marquardt suggested Williams hire a lawyer, Williams started to leave, but instead attacked new plants that were installed the day before in the ground in front of NIT headquarters, pulling them up and throwing stems and leaves all about the property.
“Then,” Marquardt said, “like a crazed, meth-fueled monkey, he mounted the new railings on my staircase and tried to destroy them by bending them back and forth. Â I advised him to beat it, real quick.”
Williams then started to walk west on 6th Street SW as Marquardt went for his phone, bicycle and camera; Williams made it to Jefferson Avenue and proceeded south. Â Police were called and briefed on the encounter, but Williams vanished for the moment.
Then, just a few minutes later, police arrived at NIT headquarters and announced they had caught Williams by Mercy Hospital. Â They brought him back and Marquardt ID’d him. Â Williams was CORRECTION: CITED AND RELEASED (not jailed) on harassment and mischief charges, police said.
Currently, Williams – who apparently now lives in Mason City – is facing methamphetamine possession charges brought by the Iowa Falls police department; he goes to trial October 5, 2017. Â He is also facing charges of eluding and interference from Mason City police from back on July 1, when law enforcement caught him at Lime Creek Nature Center that morning. Â In August, he was guilty of criminal mischief in Franklin county and fined.
(Previous mug shot)
It’s not funny Matt – but a sharp blow to his head with a 5 lb. axe sharpened nicely (also used for plant cultivation) might get his attention. Or as us lazy people would say shoot twice and answer questions later.(comments)
I’m sure you can run down to the council meeting and receive more of the taxpayers money to replace the plants that were damaged.
how, and why, does all this scum land in Mason City? What are we doing to attract them here?
The ONLY good news is the number that are killing themselves is on the rise
Sorry that happened Matt. Our laws and judges are a farce when they release someone who threatens a tax paying citizen. Get a pistol and go armed. Guys like that have fried their brains and are capable of most anything.
Sorry that happened Matt. Our laws and judges are a farce when they release someone who threatens a tax paying citizen. Get a pistol and go armed. Guys like that have fried their brains and are capable of most anything.
Sorry that happened Matt Our laws and judges are a farce when they release someone who threatens a tax paying citizen Get a pisto and go armed Guys like that have fried their brains and are capable of most anything
I kick myself daily for never having tried meth. It’s an action-packed video game inside your head!
It’s never to late
if You hurt my sister williams there will be hell to pay you punk!!
So says the verbally tough guy Anonymous
My buddy knows him Matt and he is pissed and obsessed with you and your news. He said he is going to get you. My buddy said he will stay up 4-5 days at a time cooking meth and shooting it. If he says he is going to blow you guys up, he will start your building on fire. The guy is nuts and he is sick enough to do it! Well they passed the stand your ground law. So Matt here you go!
Someone will regret not going all the way with this creep.
No one should be terrorized like that.
Just think Mason city…he’s walking around right now. Good luck people that think it’s funny.
Best wishes to you Matt and the NIT staff.
Did the globe report about this guy? Will he go there?
Course this guy even knows which publication to believe.
Appreciate the comment. You are right, it’s not funny. I’ll be arming myself as soon as possible and employing new security measures.
This idiot worked at Spee Dee Delivery for a while. Most night when I’d see him, his eyes were about to bulge out of his head. Totally tweaked out most of the time.
He didn’t wait his turn. He was not first in line.
Harassment and mischief charges? Not terroristic threats?
Sadly, it’s barely against the law to come onto someone’s property, threaten to kill them, destroy their property, etc. The punk is probably emboldened now – he sat in the back of the squad car chatting it up with the officers like this was no big deal, flipping me off. As I told the officers, this guy comes back, I will deal with him, harshly. Since he’s an NIT reader, he’s been warned.
What can he say, meth is a helluva drug
Matt RELAX ! – Call up bookie and go out an have a cold one.
I’d never get a drink in edgewise 😉