OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A teenager, known per his online username “Ransom” has been arrested in connection to West Michigan bomb threats.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department said they were contacted by the suspect in the UK back in October 2014 . Investigators were able to obtain search warrants that led them to computer generated IP addresses and eventually a physical address overseas. During their investigation, police executed more search warrants while more threats were made. Police said threats were made towards public institutions and media outlets.
Authorities said the 16-year-old known as Ransom had connections with a local 13-year-old from Coopersville, who also is believed to have made threats in West Michigan.
The two teenagers allegedly first made contact through playing X-Box games online
The Sheriff’s Department said extradition to the United States is unlikely, but that now that the teen has been taken into custody, he will most likely face charges in the United Kingdom related to the threats.
Authorities in Ottawa County warn parents to watch what their kids are doing online, especially when it comes to them participating in online gaming where communication with strangers is common.
