Attorney General's News Release

October 25, 1999

Attorney General's staff examining evidence seized in search of Smithville home in connection with threats

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon today said investigators and computer specialists from his office are examining evidence taken from a Smithville residence after law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at the home Friday.

The search warrant was executed after monitoring by the Missouri Attorney General's Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and police in Townsend, Mass., indicated that threats against students and staff at a Townsend middle school were originating from a computer in the home.

"I have zero tolerance for anyone using the Internet or any other means to promote violence in our schools," Nixon said. "Our office has worked cooperatively with state and local law enforcement and officials in Massachusetts to take aggressive action to halt this predatory situation."

Authorities took computer hardware and software from the home as a result of the search warrant, which was carried out by the Attorney General's Office, representatives of Massachusetts law enforcement agencies and the Smithville police.

Nixon said his office was consulting with the Clay County prosecuting attorney and Massachusetts authorities regarding allegations that the computer also was used to lure middle school students to websites containing child pornography. No charges have been filed yet in either Missouri or Massachusetts in connection with either the alleged threats or the pornographic websites.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818