FBI investigates Camden County Courthouse, removes computers

Phone lines, website down for county while 'possible security breach' investigated

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized some computer equipment from the Camden County Courthouse in Camdenton Monday and is performing an investigation. 

According Bridget Patton, spokesperson of the Kansas City FBI office, law enforcement officials were at the courthouse earlier this week and removed some computer equipment as part of the investigation. She said no additional details could be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

However, Camden County Attorney Charles McElyea released a statement Wednesday announcing the Camden County Commission was advised of a "possible security breach of the Camden County computer system."

"Upon learning of this possibility, the Camden County Commission took immediate steps to secure the system and started an investigation to determine if there was in fact a breach of the system, how it might have occurred and how to prevent such a breach in the future," he said.

McElyea said the security of county records and sensitive county information is of high importance to the county commission, and the commission will take whatever steps are necessary to secure and protect these records. 

As of 11:45 a.m. Thursday, the Camden County's website (www.camdenmo.org) was unavailable, as well as phone lines to the courthouse and the sheriff's department were still down. However, the 911 system is still available for the public to contact in case of an emergency.

"The commission apologizes for the inconvenience these steps may have caused to the office holders, their staffs and the general public," McElyea said in the statement. "The commission hopes to have the system back up and running as soon as possible. As further information becomes available, the public will be advised."