Wood County Sheriff’s Facebook Page Hacked, Amid Cybersecurity 2024 Ransomware Attack
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page was hacked on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, resulting in two suspicious posts promoting conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein. The department confirmed the breach on Wednesday morning via its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating: “The Wood County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page has been hacked. We are aware and attempting to resolve the issue. We apologize for any compromised posts that occurred on the page last evening that were not made by our office.” The posts were published at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on February 3. This incident marks a recent cybersecurity event in Wood County, following a major ransomware attack in December 2024 that led to a $1.5 million ransom payment and the resignation of the county’s IT director.
The 2024 cyberattack was first detected on December 9, 2024 and quickly disrupted some of the county’s most critical systems, including 911 dispatch, jail operations, and the Bowling Green Police Division’s technology. To restore access, commissioners—acting on advice from outside cybersecurity and forensic specialists—authorized a $1.5 million ransom payment. The money came from reserve funds, so county leaders say it did not require cuts or changes to the 2025 operating budget. Following restoration, officials reported that core systems were back online and that additional security controls had been put in place.
Amid the fallout, IT Director Ben Hendricks, who had served Wood County for 18 years, submitted his resignation on January 22, 2025, with a final day of February 7. His departure was announced in a letter from County Administrator Carri Stanley, who acknowledged the “difficult circumstances” surrounding the incident as a factor. The county has declined to give detailed reasons for the resignation, citing employee privacy and the county’s broader interests.
To steady the county’s technology operations, Wood County brought in Toledo‑based consulting firm Glass City IT to provide part‑time chief information officer services. Consultant Casey Timiney is filling that CIO role while the county evaluates whether to create a permanent, in‑house CIO position. The existing IT staff has remained in place, with Dan Whiting serving as interim IT director, giving the county a mix of continuity and outside expertise.
A criminal investigation into the ransomware incident continues. County Prosecutor Paul Dobson has said Wood County is working closely with consultants and following advice from national security experts, who have urged officials not to publicly disclose technical details about how the attackers got in or how the ransom negotiations unfolded. So far the county has not confirmed that any sensitive personal data was stolen, but officials have pledged to notify affected individuals if evidence of a data breach emerges.
In the wake of the attack, county leaders have elevated cybersecurity to a top priority in the 2025 budget. Planned investments include upgraded security tools, revised IT policies, and broader adoption of industry best practices aimed at preventing a similar incident in the future. The goal is not only to harden defenses against ransomware and other cyber threats, but also to ensure that essential public services—from emergency dispatch to court systems—can remain resilient even if future attacks occur.
