ATLANTA, GA — The man arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday, identified as Billy Joe Cagle, now faces a series of federal and state charges after allegedly making violent threats and arriving at the airport armed with a rifle and ammunition.
A Long Criminal History
According to police records, Cagle’s criminal background dates back to the late 1990s.
In 1999, Cartersville police arrested him and three others for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, following a police-controlled buy. Officers discovered eight ounces of marijuana and eight firearms in his home. Cagle was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison, though he served only a few months before being released in November 2000.
Though marijuana laws have relaxed in parts of the U.S., Georgia continues to enforce some of the nation’s strictest penalties. While Atlanta has decriminalized small amounts, Cartersville—where Cagle was arrested—has not adopted similar reforms.
In 2001, Cagle was involved in a domestic dispute at an Applebee’s restaurant but was not arrested. His only other known incident was a 2018 traffic citation for an expired tag following a crash for which another driver was found at fault. Police say they have no records of criminal activity involving Cagle in recent years.
The Airport Incident
Police say the incident began when family members alerted Cartersville police after seeing disturbing posts and threats from Cagle on social media. Around 9:40 a.m. Monday, the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office notified the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and shared a photo of the suspect.
Cagle reportedly entered the airport terminal through door S1 at 9:31 a.m., remaining inside for roughly 20 minutes before being spotted and arrested at 9:54 a.m., less than 15 minutes after the alert was issued.
Authorities later found a Springfield AR-15 rifle loaded with 27 rounds in his truck parked outside the airport. As a convicted felon, Cagle is legally barred from possessing firearms.
Family and Friends Speak Out
Relatives and friends told FOX 5 Atlanta that Cagle had been struggling with mental health issues.
His brother, Scott Nelson, said Cagle “wasn’t in his right mind” and “wouldn’t hurt anybody.” A close friend, Nick Roberts, added that Cagle had acknowledged needing to restart his medication after a series of concerning Facebook posts.
Cagle, a Cass High School graduate from White, Georgia, is reported to have two daughters.
Federal Custody and Next Steps
Cagle faces both state and federal charges, including:
- Federal: Attempted violence at an international airport; interstate communications containing threats; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
- State: Terroristic threats; criminal attempt to commit aggravated assault; possession of a firearm during a felony; and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Atlanta Police confirmed during a Tuesday press conference that Cagle has been transferred to federal custody.
Source: FOX5
