Ventura County Sheriff's Department

From July 28th, 2011, through August 8th, 2011, numerous Las Vegas hotels and casinos received bomb threat phone calls. The caller appeared to be disguising his voice and was demanding large amounts of money. The caller threatened to detonate the bombs and destroy the properties if the casinos did not meet his demands.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Counter Terrorism Section immediately initiated an investigation into these calls and learned that the suspects were attempting to use sophisticated devices in order to conceal their identity and location. LVMPD Counter Terrorism Detectives were able to learn that the suspects were making the calls from Ventura County California.

LVMPD Detectives contacted the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and a joint investigation was initiated. On August 10th, 2011, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and members of the LVMPD Counter Terrorism Section served a search warrant in Ventura County in support of this investigation. Detectives recovered several pieces of key evidence. Two suspects were identified as being involved in making these calls. Zachary Jackson was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Sheriff’s East County Jail on charges of Making False Bomb Threats and Attempted Extortion.

LVMPD Counter Terrorism and Cyber Crimes Detectives will be examining the devices recovered for additional evidence. Some of this evidence may potentially identify new incidents and victims.

Location: 1500 Block of Patricia Avenue in Simi Valley, CA

Numerous Casinos in Las Vegas, NV

Date & Time/ RB#: Between July 28, 2011 and August 8, 2011

Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Intel and Narcotics Units, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of Residence Age

(S) Jackson, Zachary Simi Valley 18

(S) Male Juvenile Simi Valley 16

Officer Preparing Release: Detective John Wright

Follow-up Contact: Officer J. Rivera, LVMPD (702) 828-4082

Detective John Wright (805) 383-8751

Date of Release: August 11, 2011

Approved By: Captain Derek West