Adel, Iowa – A bomb threat early Friday delayed operations at the Dallas County Courthouse, prompting a lockdown and a full law enforcement search.
According to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified of the threat at approximately 4:48 a.m. on Friday. Deputies immediately responded and conducted a safety check of the exterior of the courthouse. No suspicious items were located during the initial inspection.
Authorities reviewed interior security camera footage and reported no evidence of any after-hours entry into the courthouse. As a precaution, the building was placed on lockdown and the public opening was delayed to allow for a more thorough search.
The delay and lockdown were communicated through the Dallas County Sheriff App, social media, and notifications sent directly to courthouse employees.
Dallas County requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal Division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, including the deployment of a specialized K-9 unit. Officials said the entire courthouse was searched both by deputies and the K-9 team.
No explosive devices or other threats to public safety were found, and authorities stated there is no evidence at this time that the threat was credible.
The courthouse reopened for normal operations at approximately 8:50 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office thanked the State Fire Marshal’s Office, State Court Administration, Dallas County Juvenile Court, the Dallas County Clerk of Court, and the Dallas County Attorney’s Office for their assistance and cooperation during the response.
The incident remains under investigation. No additional information has been released.
The temporary closure affected court staff, early-morning hearings, and residents with scheduled appointments at the courthouse.
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