ADEL, IOWA – A bomb threat was called in to this suburban Iowa courthouse, and cops there are searching for clues as to whom the culprit may be.
On Friday, February 6, 2026, at approximately 4:48 AM, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a bomb threat involving the Dallas County Courthouse.
Deputies immediately responded and conducted a safety check of the exterior of the building. No suspicious items were located. Interior security cameras were reviewed, and there was no evidence of any after-hours entry into the courthouse.
As a precaution, the courthouse was placed on lockdown and the opening was delayed to allow for a more thorough search. The delayed opening was communicated through the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office App, social media, and appropriate notifications were made to courthouse employees.
Dallas County requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal Division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, including the deployment of a specialized K-9 unit. The entire courthouse was searched both in person and by the K-9. No items posing a threat to public safety were found, and at this time there is no evidence to suggest the threat was credible.
The courthouse reopened for normal operations at approximately 8:50 AM.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the assistance and cooperation of the State Fire Marshal’s Office, State Court Administration, Dallas County Juvenile Court, the Dallas County Clerk of Court, and the Dallas County Attorney’s Office.
This incident remains under investigation. No further information will be released at this time.