Police seize computer as probe continues in Internet threats case

The Ohio Bureau of
Criminal Identification
and Investigation will
analyze the items seized.

YOUNGSTOWN — A West Side man’s computer and computer equipment were seized as the investigation continues into messages posted on Vindy.com that allegedly threatened a local TV anchorman.

A police report filed Dec. 6, 2007, by Vince Bevacqua, then a news anchor at WYTV Channel 33, was turned over to the detective division. The report referred to menacing remarks posted on the newspaper’s Web site.

At the time of the police report, WYTV had announced which employees would lose their jobs as a result of the station’s agreeing to have its newscasts produced by WKBN Channel 27. Bevacqua was among those let go.

Detective Sgt. Jason Simon used a search warrant signed by Municipal Judge Robert P. Milich to enter a home on North Hartford Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, said Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives.

Centorame said the items seized will be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for analysis. He said Simon has the ability but not the equipment necessary for the analysis.

The man who owns the computer told The Vindicator on Thursday that he was on the Vindy.com Web site Dec. 6, but that he did not post menacing messages directed at Bevacqua. The man said he’s very upset because police searched his entire house.

He said not having his computer will cause financial distress because he is unemployed, and his résumé, among other important documents, is on his computer.

Commenting on the case, Jason Holmes, New Media and IT director at The Vindicator, said Thursday: “As stated in our terms of service and privacy policy, users of Vindy.com are solely responsible for their comments. Though the discussion groups may appear to be entirely anonymous, your actions can be traced and information identifiable to you will be revealed to law enforcement when a subpoena or court order is issued, as it was in this instance.”