Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Despite Search Warrant, No Arrests in Sight in Anthrax Probe

Aired August 02, 2002 - 11:08   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Now the other story that we're following today and there is plenty of news, this on the anthrax investigation. and the FBI today analyzing possible evidence that it seized from the home of a former Army scientist. Law enforcement sources are calling him a potential suspect in last fall's anthrax attacks.

Our Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena is on the story. She joins us from Washington to explain what exactly a "potential suspect" is -- Kelli, good morning.

KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, as you said, FBI investigators are sifting through evidence gathered yesterday from Steven Hatfill's residence. They are testing and evaluating documents and other material. Hatfill is a researcher who used to work at Fort Detrick where the U.S. Army has a bioweapons defense lab.

Sources say he has become an important focus of the anthrax investigation, though they say at least 20 other individuals are also under scrutiny. There have been no arrests made since the anthrax attacks last fall which killed five people, and sources say no arrests are imminent. FBI agents have interviewed 5,000 people, issued more than 1,000 grand jury subpoenas as part of its investigation. Even so, the interest in Hatfill remains high.

Now yesterday was the second time that agents have searched his apartment. The first search was consensual. This time, agents came armed with a search warrant. FBI agents also searched a friends apartment, and a storage facility that Hatfill uses in Florida -- Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: And Stephen Hatfill was going to -- he was trying to take a position with Louisiana State University, as I understand it. Where is he now?

ARENA: We don't know where he is right now. Sources yesterday indicated that he was in the Washington area, although I was not able to get definite confirmation of that, so -- but he's a free man, Daryn. I mean, he has not been arrested, he has not been charged with anything. Yes, there was a search warrant for his apartment, but he is free to do as he wishes at this point.

KAGAN: All right. We will continue to track that story as well. Kelli Arena in Washington, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com