An investigation into suspected cyber crimes involving children resulted in a heavy law enforcement presence Wednesday, May 20 in a Marshall neighborhood.

In a statement released Thursday morning, the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force says they served a search warrant in the 400 block of North Bond as part of an investigation related to the promotion of child sexual abuse material. The task force, supported by the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, conducted interviews of several occupants but made no arrests. The investigation is ongoing. The task force is based in Cass County and investigates suspected cyber crimes in a seven-county area including Saline, Pettis, Johnson, and Lafayette counties.

Marshall Police issued a concurrent statement seeking to dispel rumors that emerged from Wednesday’s presence. A spokesman for the department says that any reports claiming that bodies or dead animals were found on the property were false, and that there is no evidence of cult-related activity connected to the task force’s investigation.  Both statements are below: