Arrest Made in West Des Moines Text Threat Case

WEST DES MOINES, IA — A Des Moines man was arrested Monday in connection with text threats received by a student in the West Des Moines school district earlier this month — a day after the Johnston school district was dealing with a similar threats-by-text investigation that involved a number of families in the district. The two cases are not connected and the West Des Moines incident was the work of a copycat, police said.

West Des Moines police, assisted by the 5th Judicial District Fugitive Team, today arrested Kiren Jay Kelly, 18, in connection with the Oct. 4 case. Kelly was charged with one felony count of threat of terrorism.

Police said a day after numerous Johnston families reported receiving threatening messages, a West Des Moines student also reported receiving threatening messages. Police presence was increased in West Des Moines schools as a result. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from West Des Moines Patch, or click here to find your local Iowa Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The Johnston investigation, which led to district officials closing all buildings in the district on Oct. 4, eventually was traced to a known hacker group called Dark Overlord.

West Des Moines police said on Oct 6 they had identified a suspect and determined the situation was not related to the Johnston district's cyber attack and that there was no credible threat to West Des Moines students. They worked with the Polk County Attorney's Office to determine what criminal charge to file in the case.

Due to a probation violation, Kelly remains in the Polk County Jail tonight without bond.

Kiren Kelly was arrested Monday./Polk County Jail photo