By Sharon Ugolini
A woman accused of authoring a threatening letter to BYU President Merrill J. Bateman is under federal indictment.
A federal grand jury indicted and began to review the allegations on Wednesday, Aug. 15, that Lavanya Paul, 28, a native of India, tried to extort $1 million from BYU.
According to the indictment, the letter contained a threat to injure Bateman and “damage or destroy a building or real property by means of fire and explosives.”
Paul was charged with extortion and “willfully threatening to kill, injure and intimidate” President Bateman.
The severity of the crime has caused BYU to refer all questions to the U.S. Attorney”s office in Salt Lake City.
“We turned it over to the proper authorities,” said Michael Smart, BYU spokesman.
“(Paul has been) summoned to appear in federal court sometime next week. She will appear in court and enter her plea,” said Melodie Rydalch, U.S. Attorney”s public information officer. “This is the beginning of a long process.”
“The threats that she made are very serious,” Rydalch said.
Paul has not been taken into custody due to further information received by U.S. District Attorney, Paul Warner.
“He felt it wasn”t necessary to have her arrested,” Rydalch said.
The U.S. Attorney”s office said it does not believe Paul is a risk at this time.
President Bateman”s secretary reviewed the content of the letter when it first reached the office on Aug. 6. Concerned it was a bomb threat, she contacted BYU police, said University Police Lt. Greg Barber.
The University Police immediately sent an officer to assess the situation.
The officer felt the letter was a threat and informed the FBI, Barber said.
He said the University Police believes BYU campus is safe and students shouldn”t be concerned.
BYU has moved forward and allowed the proper authorities to take the necessary precautions, Smart said.
We”ll see what she”ll decided if to take advantage of the process.
She has no resident status
We want to get her into the system and get a psychological evaluation and know more about this person.
Melodie Rydalch, U.S. Attoney”s public information officer
