State Tech student accused of posing as border patrol agent, threatening Mexican restaurant

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A student from State Technical College was charged after he allegedly threatened employees at a Mexican restaurant while posing as a border patrol agent.

Coby Williams, 20, of Linn, was charged on Monday in Osage County with first-degree making a terroristic threat, first-degree harassment and misdemeanor impersonating a law enforcement officer. He is being held at the Osage County Jail without bond. An initial court appearance was held on Tuesday morning.

The probable cause statement says Williams allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he called El Carnaval Mexican Restaurant in Linn on Sunday and made threats.

Dispatchers were called about the threat at 7:41 p.m. Williams allegedly identified himself to staff as “Sgt. Williams” and asked the restaurant if they had any “illegals” working, court documents say. Williams then allegedly told those inside the restaurant to “go outside and get on their knees and put their hands on their head,” court documents say.

Williams allegedly told the employee “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” then claimed “things will get messy” if the restaurant did not comply, court documents say. Police wrote that about 14 people were in the restaurant at the time of the threat.

Police then arrested Williams at his apartment, the statement says.