Nebraska communications tower destroyed in possible ‘act of domestic terrorism’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Furnas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a communications tower was toppled in south-central Nebraska.

On Saturday, deputies were notified of the downed tower, owned by Strayer Communications, south of Oxford.

The sheriff’s office said investigators found “intentional” damage to a guide wire anchor, which caused the tower to fall.

A Nebraska State Patrol forensic team was later called in to collect as much evidence as possible.

The sheriff’s office said “several items” were collected and will be examined at the patrol’s crime lab.

An estimated $575,000 in damage was caused to the tower, according to the sheriff’s office.

Verizon Wireless, the sheriff’s office, Southern Valley Schools, and Oxford Fire & Rescue all had equipment on the tower.

Verizon has since put up a temporary tower to provide limited cellphone coverage in the area.

The sheriff’s office said the FBI has been contacted and is thinking of investigating the tower’s fall “as an act of domestic terrorism.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 308-268-2245.