A Moran man is in custody after an incident yesterday morning at the Allen County Courthouse in Iola.

Authorities say 68-year-old George Arlyn Briggs was in the courthouse criticizing the local judicial system. However, the Allen County Sheriff's Department was called around 10:30 with a report that Briggs had made a direct threat to administrative staff. Briggs was taken into custody without incident and held without bond until he could appear before a judge. No violence was reported and no employees were harmed.

Allen County Sheriff Anthony Maness stated that the freedom to criticize the government is paramount but that threats of violence will not be tolerated.