Eugene, Oregon – In a recent development, a federal grand jury in Oregon has returned an indictment charging Elizabeth Ballesteros West, a 56-year-old woman from Cottage Grove, Oregon, with one count of transmitting an interstate threat. This announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, the investigation was initiated in late September 2023 when the FBI received an anonymous tip regarding West’s alleged threats against coworkers on Facebook. Subsequently, in November 2023, it was discovered that West had also created an account on X (formerly known as Twitter), where she was reportedly posting and reposting memes, videos, and statements containing violent messages targeting Black and Jewish people, as well as immigrants.
The investigation revealed that West’s online posts included self-produced photos of firearms, including handguns, a shotgun, and an AR-style assault rifle. On January 3, 2023, West admitted to posting and reposting messages on X containing hateful and violent rhetoric. Additionally, she confessed to possessing multiple shotguns and AR-15 assault rifles at her Cottage Grove residence.
In response, on January 9, 2023, the FBI executed federal search warrants on West’s person, vehicle, and residence. The authorities seized 12 handguns, 16 rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition, firearm accessories, and a journal containing writings and drawings featuring additional hateful and violent statements. Subsequently, on January 12, 2023, FBI agents arrested West without incident at her workplace in Eugene.
West made her first appearance in federal court on Thursday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further court proceedings. The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI, Cottage Grove Police Department, Eugene Police Department, and Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: USDOJ
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