The Greenville man accused of making verbal threats against Sheriff Kenny Harden remains in custody and if found guilty could face between two to 10 years in prison, according to lead investigator Travis Johnson.

Clarence McMeans, 31, is incarcerated in the Lowndes County Jail due to the nature of the case, said Johnson. Johnson said McMeans was scheduled to appear in court for unrelated drug charges in July.

Harden publicly commented about the threats for the first time on Thursday.

“I would say the deputies, the ABI agents, the state fire marshals office and the district attorney’s office worked tremendously together in making a quick arrest in this case,” said Harden. “I have received threats in the past, but not like this. But when you spend as many years in law enforcement as I have you’re going to have some.”

Harden said the threat was left on his voicemail at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Friday. He did not specify as to the nature of the comments, but said the caller threatened his life in the approximately 30-second message.

Johnson said McMeans had an extensive criminal history and had been incarcerated in the past. He said deputies worked with two cellular phone companies to trace the call.

McMeans was also charged with two counts of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, said Johnson.