Issue date: 7/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Megan McClure Larry Washington of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives speaks with reporters at Wednesday's press conference at the SIUE Police Station. Washington is holding a weapon obtained during a multi-agency investigation involving freshman Olutosin Oduwole.

Media Credit: Megan McClure Four semi-automatic weapons seized during the investigation of Olutosin Oduwole were displayed at a press conference Wednesday at the SIUE Police Station. A local arms dealer alerted authorities of Oduwole's purchase, noting suspicious behavior.

An SIUE fraternity president is being held on $1 million bond after being charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, with one felony charge involving an attempted threat of a "murderous rampage" on a "highly populated university."

SIUE Police impounded a vehicle Friday after it had been left along North University Drive for two days. Inside the car, which was registered to Olutosin O. Oduwole, officers found a handwritten note that included threats of violence against a university unless certain conditions were met. No specific threat against SIUE was made.

"Although no threat has been conveyed or delivered at this point, we are staying directly involved in this investigation and will act accordingly if and when an actual or perceived threat becomes apparent," SIUE Police Chief Regina Hays said in a statement.

According to director of university marketing and communications Greg Conroy, Oduwole was associated with an ongoing investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

"The note was one piece to the puzzle," Deputy Chief Otis Steward of the Wood River Police Department said.

According to a release issued at a press conference Wednesday, the charges allege that the suspect acquired $1,000 after selling a Colt M-16 A-1 Carbine machine gun he did not own or possess on an online auction site.

A check was sent to Oduwole's Wood River address Monday, July 2. The Kirksville, Mo., Police Department contacted the Wood River Police Thursday, July 5, when the purchaser, a Kirksville resident, reported that the item had not been received.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives received a report Thursday, July 12, that Oduwole had purchased three semi-automatic handguns online, as well as a fourth semi-automatic weapon, an uzi-type firearm. According to the individual who notified authorities of the transaction, Oduwole's persistent demeanor was cause for concern.

Three of the weapons - two Highpoint .380 semi-automatic handguns and one MAC-10 .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun - were displayed at a press conference Wednesday at the SIUE Police Department.

"The concern was the amount he was trying to purchase," Hays said at the press conference.

Authorities were unable to locate Oduwole at the listed Wood River address; his current address was made available after the vehicle, a 2001 Ford Taurus, was impounded by police.

Oduwole, an undeclared freshman originally from Maplewood, N.J., was arrested Friday in his Cougar Village apartment by the SIUE Police. He was charged by the Wood River Police Department for theft over $300 and computer fraud, both felony charges.

"He gave no resistance," Det. Rick Weissenborn of the SIUE Police said of Oduwole's demeanor during the arrest.

The Wood River Police Department confiscated three computers and a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic Jenning handgun from Oduwole's apartment while executing a search warrant Friday.

The Madison County State's Attorney's office filed misdemeanor charges of unauthorized possession of a weapon on state property Tuesday.

In regards to the note found in Oduwole's vehicle, the State's Attorney's office filed charges Tuesday for allegedly attempting to make a terrorist threat, a Class I felony.

"We can't find any evidence that the threat was delivered," Conroy said. "That's why it's 'attempted.'"

According to the Nov. 1, 2005, issue of the Alestle, Oduwole was arrested in October 2005 and charged with misdemeanor telephone access charge fraud after a biology professor's STAN number was used to call Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Oduwole remains in custody at the Madison County Jail, where he awaits an arraignment hearing and court date.

Officials sent a mass e-mail to the SIUE community Friday, requesting information about Oduwole. Another e-mail was sent Wednesday, explaining the situation and charges.

"At this point, we are confident that the SIUE Police Department and the federal agencies are taking any and all steps necessary to properly address the situation," Hays said in the statement. "We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the prosecuting authorities in their prosecution of the pending criminal charges against Oduwole. We will keep the university community updated in the event new information comes to light."

Hays said at the press conference that Oduwole was an SIUE student in 2005 and 2006 and returned to the university for the summer 2007 term.

According to Coordinator of Greek Life John Davenport, Oduwole was the president of the SIUE chapter of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity at the time of the incident.

"He has subsequently been removed (from office)," Davenport said.

However, the possibility for further disciplinary action from the fraternity was unclear.

"It's viewed as an individual matter," Davenport said.

Steven Holman, the acting president of the chapter, declined to comment on the situation.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools