Mattoon Police Go Public w/Investigation of Terrorist Threat Made in March

Mattoon city police have gone public with their investigation of a terrorist threat made the evening of March 6th.

An anonymous caller, using a “spoofed” phone number, called Mattoon police dispatch and expressed his intent to commit an act of mass violence at Maranatha Baptist Church at 3400 Dewitt Ave. in Mattoon. Evening services were taking place at the church during the time of call. The threat was a hoax. However, it prompted the temporary closure of Illinois Route 16 as well as an immediate armed response to the church by several police officers.

Officers 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 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 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.

Mattoon Police Chief Jason Taylor, when asked why they went public with details of the incident at this time, said it was due to a lack of cooperation to this point with Hong Kong authorities. Taylor said of the Hong Kong authorities, "We're not getting any cooperation. The FBI has opened a case in the matter and are working with their contacts." 

Of the investigation, Taylor said, "We're very close; we are just trying to shake things loose."

Mattoon police released this statement: "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.

Here's the audio of the phone call:

"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."

Police said, "This hoax is viewed as an assault on basic religious freedoms enjoyed by all citizens. We ask for public assistance in solving this crime."