65-year-old Mondell V. Olson read a newspaper article about a local transgender boy's gender journey. The article offended him.

So, what to do? Mondell called up Nevada High School and left a voice mail. Twice. He left the message that he would kill, brand and otherwise mutilate the body of the transgender freshman.

This is clearly a hate crime. I don't think anybody is going to argue with that. Our suspect specifically pointed out transgender.

--Nevada police chief Ricardo Martinez

Authorities said that Nevada police conducted an investigation, and that police recovered a cellphone involved in the threatening messages while executing a search warrant at Olson’s apartment.

It's disturbing that anyone would go through that and face threats for being who they are. We support all of our students.

--Nevada superintendent Dr. Steve Gray

Olson has been charged with harassment but cannot be charged with a hate crime...because, you know, there is no such Iowa law.

It is aggravating. I would like to throw more at him than the book, but I can only do what's available to us.

--Martinez

This is a horrific event and this is something that shouldn't happen ever, but it would be nice for things to be categorized as a hate crime when they are specifically targeted for their gender identity.

--Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, One Iowa

There are two bills in the state legislature, one in the House and one in the Senate, that would add transgender individuals to the list of protected classes in a hate crime.

The bills are assigned to a committee but have not come up for a vote.

The Nevada Public Safety Department said findings related to similar reports at Nevada High School have been shared with the Story County Sheriff’s Office, and additional charges may be filed.