On Saturday March 4, 2023, the Furnas County Sheriff’s Office received a report that the communications tower south of Oxford, owned by Strayer Communications, had been toppled and completely destroyed. Preliminary findings indicated intentional damage to a guy wire anchor that resulted in complete structural failure of the tower causing it to fall to the east. A forensic evidence team from the Nebraska State Patrol was requested to assist in order to collect as much evidence as possible in the investigation. Deputies have filed for and received a preservation of cellular data from the tower in hopes of identifying a suspect or suspects. Several items of evidence were seized and will be examined at the State Patrol crime lab.
Damage to the tower is estimated at approximately $575,000. Additionally, the Oxford Fire and EMS, Southern Valley Schools, Verizon Wireless and the Furnas County Sheriff’s Office all had equipment on the tower that was destroyed. Verizon was able to erect a temporary tower to provide limited cell phone coverage for the area. Furnas County was able to relocate the Fire and EMS channels for Oxford to a temporary location. Southern Valley and the FCSO are still trying to find a suitable location for their equipment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been contacted and is considering opening an investigation into the matter as an act of domestic terrorism.
Anybody that has any information, even if they just ‘heard’ something, is encouraged to contact the FCSO as soon as possible.
Courtesy/ Furnas County Sheriff’s Office. Map depicting location of downed communications tower south of Oxford.
