CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — There are widespread reports of racist text messages received throughout the country. The messages are real.
On Wednesday, multiple people on social media claimed they or someone they know received a racist text message telling them to "report to the nearest plantation to either pick cotton or become a house slave."
Attorneys general in Virginia and Washington, D.C., and Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland have confirmed they are investigating the texts. Officials in North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Connecticut, Ohio, Texas and Alabama have confirmed the texts.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office was notified of the text messages, with Sheriff Michelle Cook stating the agency had reached out to the FBI and was investigating the texts.
"We are aware of the awful and disgusting message that is being sent to members of our community and throughout the nation. We have assigned a detective to investigate and have reached out to our local FBI office, as this disgusting message has spread across the country. We believe at this time that the message originated outside of Clay County and encourage people not to forward the text.
The message absolutely does NOT reflect or represent our community standards and values."
A cybersecurity expert told WVEC said the texts could have come from a data broker, a person who collects and or sells a person's personal data, could be behind the texts. However, identifying the person may prove challenging.
In addition to FBI confirmation of the texts and that the organization was in contact with the DOJ, WVEC received a statement from the FCC:
"Our Enforcement Bureau is aware of these and is looking into them alongside federal and state law enforcement."