‘Demanding’ letter prompts more security at state Capitol

CARSON CITY -- A metal detector was installed Wednesday at the main entrance to the state Capitol after Gov. Jim Gibbons received a "demanding letter" from an organization ordering him to resign.

Nevada Highway Patrol cars were posted outside the Sawyer Building in Las Vegas, where the governor has an office, because Gibbons was there Wednesday.

Deputy Chief of Staff Lynn Hettrick said the FBI told Gibbons and other governors around the country to expect the letters. FBI agents were at the Capitol on Monday when the letter arrived, he said.

"It wasn't really threatening, it was demanding," Hettrick said. "They claimed to be a nonviolent group. Anytime you receive letters like this, you err on the side of caution."

In the letter, Gibbons was asked to resign and swear an oath of allegiance to "an appropriate government," Hettrick said.

He declined to identify the group identified in the letter, at the urging of the FBI, but a source in the administration said letters to all 50 governors were sent by Guardians of the Free Republics, which has a manifesto, the Restore America Plan.

The group set a March 31 deadline to "restore and reinhabit the free American Republics" by "removing the corporate state from the lives of the sovereign people."

During a staff meeting Tuesday, Gibbons decided to close all side entrances to the Capitol and install the metal detector at the main entrance.

Hettrick said the lines have not been very long because the Capitol does not generally receive a lot of visitors.

Metal detectors were not installed at the Capitol after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; police put patrol cars on walkways outside the building.

Hettrick said Wednesday he does not know whether the metal detector will be taken down at a later date, adding, "We will just want and see what happens."

Metal detectors have not been used at the Legislative Building, about 100 yards south of the Capitol. One is in storage, and legislative leaders will decide whether it's necessary.

On Dec. 12, 2008, two envelopes containing white powder were delivered to the governor's offices in Carson City and Las Vegas. Workers were forced to evacuate the buildings, but the substance later was found to be harmless.

One of the letters was addressed to Gov. Kenny Guinn, Gibbons' predecessor. And similar letters were sent to more than 37 governors, the FBI said.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.