(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — The FBI raided the data centers of Dallas colocation company Core IP Networks early Friday morning, affecting the services of 50 other customers located in the facilities, and possibly disrupting 911 services.
According to a letter posted by Core IP CEO Matthew Simpson, at 6:00 a.m. Friday the FBI conducted an “unwarranted raid” on two of the company’s data centers located at 2323 Bryan St., on the 7th and 24th floors.
A post on SearchDataCenter identified the address as including several other data center companies, including Digital Realty Trust, Telx and Capstar Commercial Real Estate.
Simpson’s letter, posted on a simple Google Sites page, says the FBI also raided his home in Ovilla, Texas, though he was away in Phoenix, Arizona at the time.
“Neither I, nor Core IP are involved in any illegal activities of any kind,” says Simpson’s letter. “The only data that I have received thus far is that the FBI is investigating a company that has purchased services from Core IP in the past. This company does not even colocate with us anywhere, much less 2323 Bryan Street Datacenter.”
According to a news report from local television station CBS11, customers at the scene described the amount of equipment seized as being worth “millions.” Simpson’s letter says customers attempting to retrieve their equipment from the site were threatened with arrest.
Simpson says access to emergency 911 services is being affected by the raid, because “Core IP’s primary client base consists of telephone companies.”
CBS11’s Jack Fink reports that the FBI is declined to comment and claimed it could take several days before equipment is back online. Companies affected by the outage might be able to speed the recovery of their equipment by calling the local FBI offices.
“If you run a datacenter,” says Simpson, in his letter, “please be aware that in our great country, the FBI can come into your place of business at any time and take whatever they want, with no reason.”
About Liam Eagle
Liam Eagle has worked as a contributor to the Web Host Industry Review since its inception in 2000, and as editor since 2003. He has been editor of the WHIR's print magazine since its launch. His daily involvement in the gathering and reporting of Web hosting news and his regular interaction with Web hosting leaders gives him an uncommonly broad appreciation of the issues and tends facing the business. Through his WHIR blog, Liam spots Web hosting trends and offers opinions on the industry-wide impacts of major developments and the motivation behind big announcements. Follow him on Twitter @liameagle
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