Georgia Inmate Serving Life for Murder Makes Bomb Threat Against Atkinson County School

PEARSON, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating allegations that a state prison inmate serving life without parole for murder made a bomb threat against an Atkinson County school in an effort to disrupt school operations.

The threat was received on Friday, August 21, 2026, and the Atkinson County School Chief of Police subsequently requested assistance from the GBI.

Investigators identified the suspected caller as 37-year-old Kendall Alfonzo Stevens, originally from Savannah. Stevens is currently incarcerated at Telfair State Prison, where he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

According to investigators, Stevens allegedly made the bomb threat to disrupt operations at the school. Authorities are also investigating how Stevens obtained access to the device allegedly used to make the threat.

The Georgia Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards is conducting a separate investigation into how the device was introduced into Telfair State Prison and how Stevens was able to access it.

The GBI said Stevens could face additional criminal charges related to the bomb threat. He could also face charges connected to the introduction and possession of a cellular device inside the prison.

Stevens is incarcerated for the killing of 26-year-old Corey Trent Vance Jr. in Chatham County on January 1, 2021. Stevens was convicted of murder in July 2024 and sentenced to life without parole.

The bomb threat investigation remains ongoing. Once completed, the GBI will provide its case file to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of additional charges.