Liberty Woman Charged After Allegedly Threatening Governor

A Liberty resident is facing a charge of Threatening Life, Person or Family of Public Officer.

Jenifer Johnson Phillips, 46, of 121 Rose Lane, Liberty, was arrested today after allegedly threatening Governor Nikki Haley.

School District of Pickens County Spokesman John Eby said that 8:30 a.m.  parent volunteer at Liberty Elementary was talking to a school staff member when she made a remark about harming the governor, who was slated to visit the school this morning.

Phillips was taken into custody by Liberty Police before Governor Haley arrived at the school.

Haley visited the school, then spoke at an Easley Rotary Club meeting this afternoon.

Haley told members of the media she was briefed about the morning's events after she left the school, where she had talked to students about bullying.

"This was not the first time that this has happened. It's part of the job, it comes with the job," Haley said. "SLED is handling it and I'll let them handle it."

Haley said that she is surrounded by a good team and that she is confident in them taking care of her. She said it did not change her schedule in Pickens County in any way. In fact, Haley added a stop at a local Department of Motor Vehicles office to her schedule, before her appearance at the Easley Rotary meeting.