Rapping leads to terroristic threat charge

Senie Benfield Jr., 31, Douglas GA

31-year-old Senie Benfield Jr. from Douglas was apprehended and charged with Terroristic Threats or acts after he threatened to set fire to a home located in the Oak Park area near New Forestry Road and Amber Hills Road on the evening of March 28, 2025.

Benfield approached the residence on his bicycle and engaged in a confrontational manner with the homeowners, who did not recognize him and took his threats seriously. When questioned by deputies, Benfield claimed he was merely “rapping” and argued that his statement, “I know where you sleep and I’ll burn the house down,” was misinterpreted. However, considering the accounts of witnesses and the findings of the deputy's investigation, Benfield's threats were deemed terroristic, leading to his arrest and subsequent transport to Coffee County Jail.

According to Georgia law, an individual convicted of making a terroristic threat is subject to misdemeanor penalties. However, if the threat implies the death of the person targeted, the conviction escalates to a felony, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000.00, imprisonment for a period ranging from one to five years, or both.