HARTSELLE, Ala. — Morgan County officials confirmed a bomb threat that had been called in earlier in the day Thursday was a hoax. The phony threat tied up investigative resources and caused disruption to traffic in a residential area just outside of Hartselle.
Deputies say a resident received a phone call saying that an explosive device had been placed in their mailbox. The resident called 911, and by 3:45 p.m., investigators were creating a safety perimeter around the 300 block of Rocky Ford Road while a bomb squad made its way to the scene.
Investigators were able to determine there was no explosive device.
"When calls like this take place, even though there is a chance that it is a hoax, we must treat the incident as if it is a credible threat," the Morgan County Sheriff's Office said in a social media update Thursday night.
"A hoax like this ties up valuable resources and increases response times for real emergencies."
It is possible that the person who called in the threat could face serious consequences. The sheriff's office said the Criminal Investigations Division will trace the call. If the caller is found, they intend "to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."
There were no injuries reported during the disruption that occurred, nor at any other call that took place during the response to the hoax.
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