COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. — A former Southern Adventist University student is facing charges after Collegedale Police say an investigation spanning nearly two years linked him to a series of threatening messages directed at the university and law enforcement.
The Collegedale Police Department arrested 26-year-old Michael Whitfield Hanna in April following what police described as an extensive investigation into threatening messages sent to Southern Adventist University and law enforcement personnel.
The investigation began in May 2024 after Southern Adventist University’s Campus Safety reported multiple anonymous emails and an anonymous letter containing concerning statements directed toward university faculty.
Collegedale Police worked with Tennessee Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify the source of the communications.
During the investigation, Hanna was contacted by law enforcement and interviewed. Police said he initially denied involvement, but the threatening communications stopped immediately after the interview.
In July 2025, law enforcement received another threatening email that referenced details previously known only to investigators and the suspect.
The case was re-opened and transferred to federal authorities for further review.
Investigators later learned in late 2025 that Hanna, who graduated from the Collegedale university in 2024, had been repeatedly observed on Southern Adventist University’s campus despite having no official reason to be there.
Campus Safety issued an official ban and trespass warning due to safety concerns stemming from the threats, police said.
After a federal search warrant was executed in November 2025, investigators recovered electronic documents containing additional threatening statements, along with materials indicating what police described as a continued fixation on individuals connected to the earlier reports.
Hanna was taken into custody and charged with making threats of violence on school property, stalking, and retaliation for past actions.
Police say additional federal charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
“Public safety is our highest priority. I am grateful for the collaboration between our department, Southern Adventist University Campus Safety, Tennessee Homeland Security, and the FBI. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of interagency cooperation and our shared commitment to protecting our community. We want to assure students, faculty, and residents that we took these threats seriously and acted swiftly to prevent potential harm,” Chief of Police Jack Sapp said in a statement.
We have no information what this offender’s beef is with the University or faculty. We also don’t know if he is an immigrant, or if his threats are racially motivated.. More details will be forthcoming.
Suffice it to say, we are glad he is behind bars and unable to threaten, harass, or potentially harm people.
****
“The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sin hold them fast” (Proverbs 5:22).
