Criminal Past of Atlanta Airport Arrestee Billy Joe Cagle Revealed
Billy Joe Cagle, a 49-year-old man from Cartersville, was arrested on October 20 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He faces serious accusations, including making terroristic threats and possessing firearms unlawfully. The arrest followed reports of alarming behavior shared on social media.
Criminal Background of Billy Joe Cagle
Cagle’s criminal history spans several years, beginning in the late 1990s. His prior offenses primarily involve non-violent incidents related to drug possession.
Key Details of His Criminal History:
- In 1999, arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
- Convicted and sentenced to eight years, served a few months before release in November 2000.
- No notable violent crimes in his history, aside from a 2018 citation for an expired tag.
At the time of his October arrest, police recovered a Springfield AR-15 style rifle and 27 pounds of ammunition from his vehicle parked near the airport.
The Incident at the Airport
The alarming incident began when family members reached out to the Cartersville Police Department after seeing Cagle’s threatening posts online. Early on the morning of the arrest, at around 9:40 a.m., authorities alerted the Atlanta Police Department.
According to reports, Cagle entered the airport terminal at 9:31 a.m. He remained inside for nearly 20 minutes before law enforcement located him. Officers managed to arrest him at 9:54 a.m., a mere 15 minutes after receiving the notification about his threats.
Community Response and Concerns
Family and friends have expressed concerns regarding Cagle’s mental health. His brother noted that Cagle “wasn’t in his right mind” during the incident. A close friend mentioned that Cagle acknowledged needing to restart his medication.
Upcoming Court Appearance
Following his arrest, Billy Joe Cagle is scheduled for his first court appearance on Wednesday at 11 a.m. The proceedings will address the serious charges he faces, which highlight the ongoing issues of mental health and firearm possession among individuals with criminal backgrounds.
