Popular cosplay influencer Kit Noel has been arrested after allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at a Texas anime convention during a feud over an energy drink brand.
Kit Noel, whose real name is Kendra Noel Manning, attended the San Japan Anime & Gaming Convention in San Antonio, Texas when tensions reportedly escalated online between Kit and a “rival cosplayer.” Known for her elaborate cosplays and active social media following, Noel’s was arrested after a member of the cosplaying community reported a comment she made to the police.
Kit Noel threatens to blow up rival cosplayer
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, Manning allegedly wrote “Planting a bomb in their booth today” on Instagram in response to another user who commented “F*** Gamersupps. Entitled Weirdos.” After another user saw the comment and notified law enforcement, Manning was denied entry to San Japan, issued a criminal trespass warning, and ultimately arrested on a third-degree felony charge of making a terroristic threat to impair public service.
She was booked into Bexar County Jail on a $35,000 bond before being released under strict conditions, including house arrest with GPS monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, and a prohibition on possessing firearms.
If convicted, Manning faces up to 10 years in prison. As of now, she remains under bond restrictions while awaiting further court proceedings.