UPDATE: GPD uses GPS to catch person behind GHS threats

UPDATE: GPD uses GPS to catch person behind GHS threats
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UPDATE: Recently release court documents show that the Goshen Police Department, with help from the Indiana State Police and Comcast, were able to track the location of the person making threats to the school and arrest them before anyone was hurt.

Authorities say the call came in around 12:16 a.m. on Wednesday of threats to Goshen High School and the GPD circulating on Facebook. By 6:30 a.m., they were able to determine the user behind "Anonymous" account lived in Goshen.

"[GPD] made contact with Detective Nick Campbell with the Indiana State Police. [GPD] applied for a search warrant for the Facebook account 'Anonymous' and was able to apply for exigent circumstances through Facebook, for immediate release of records," court documents show. "Campbell advised he reviewed the records and located the registered user's date of birth to be 07/15/2006."

From there, detectives were given a GPS ordinance for the area of the origin of the threats which was near Winchester Trails, near Waterbury Lane and Birchwood Drive in Goshen.

"Det Campbell advised he was able to make contact with Comcast Internet and provided them with the IP addresses used during activity, on this "Anonymous" account on Wednesday. Comcast advised the account belonged to Brandon Smith, [at] Winchester Trails."

Using the location, along with date of birth and other pieces of information, officers were able to find 18-year-old Andre Brandon Smith, and at approximately 4:54 p.m., GPD -- along with the Elkhart County Regional SWAT team -- executed a search warrant at the home.

While talking with police, Smith admitted he made the Facebook account "Anonymous" and that he posted the comments to scare others.

"Andre advised he used the black pentagram profile picture to appear scarier, Andre advised he has struggled with mental illness and has depression," authorities said. "Andre advised further that he wanted to scare people that were mean to others."

ORIGINAL: GOSHEN, Ind. -- Goshen Police have arrested 18-year-old Andre Brandon Smith, who is believed to be connected to specific threats made to Goshen high school through a social media account, for felony intimidation.

According to the Goshen Police Department, the Elkhart County SWAT Team searched a Goshen home off Winchester Trail just before 5 p.m. Sept. 18.

Investigators believe that Smith acted alone, and police say there were no indications of weapons during this search.


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