For Immediate Release – Press Release from the Mattoon Police Department
Mattoon PD Investigating Pipe Bomb Threat to Church
Mattoon police are investigating the crime of Making a Terrorist Threat (720 ILCS 5/29 D-20) that occurred on Wednesday March 6th at 7:28 p.m. An anonymous caller, using a “spoofed” phone number, called MPD dispatch and expressed his intent to commit an act of mass violence at Maranatha Baptist Church, 3400 Dewitt Ave., Mattoon. Evening services were taking place at the Church during the time of call. The audio is below. The threat was a hoax. However, it prompted the temporary closure of Rt. 16 as well as an immediate armed response to the Church by several police officers.
Audio PlayerOfficers entered the Church only to find members engaged in worship within the sanctuary and children engaged in instruction within numerous classrooms. An investigation into the spoofed number commenced. Since that time, search warrants have been served at six (6) phone companies in the United States and Canada to trace back the call, trunk line to trunk line, phone company to phone company. The latest phone company to be served with a warrant is in Hong Kong. The FBI is assisting MPD with the warrant overseas.
This incident occurred two (2) days after Maranatha Baptist Church Minister Dan Haifley spoke openly in favor of prayer at Coles County Board meetings. It is possible that this crime is associated with that event.
We believe that whoever placed this call likely told someone else about doing so. We also believe that someone will recognize the caller’s voice. We note that the caller appears to be trying to disguise his voice, but that it does sound rather nasally or higher pitched for a male. We also note that the caller is articulate in speech, and references an M-16— verbiage—and a weapon– common to the era and generation of the Vietnam war, and resultant societal chaos. It is possible that the person who made this call is some type of activist.
A cash reward of $1,000.00– or more–is offered for information in regards to this crime. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mattoon police at 235-5451, private message Mattoon police via Facebook, or call Coles County Crimestoppers at 1-866-345-8488. Anyone providing information may remain anonymous.
This hoax is viewed as an assault on basic religious freedoms enjoyed by all Citizens. We ask for public assistance in solving this crime.
