The sheriff of Wood County on Tuesday issued a statement about sleeper cells.

Sheriff Rick Woodyard said he wanted to address the concerns received from residents and the anxiety and uncertainty caused by headlines when it comes to the safety of families and the community.

“First and foremost, there is currently no credible or verified threat specific to our county. We remain in regular communication with our local, state, and federal partners, and we receive updates through established intelligence and law enforcement channels,” Woodyard said on the sheriff’s department’s Facebook page. “If there were any imminent danger to our area, you would hear it from us immediately.”

The United States and Israel this weekend launched strikes against Iran, which supports terrorist organizations. Iran’s supreme leader and other high-ranking officers were killed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday said forces are ready to counter Iranian sleeper cell attacks in the United States.

“This is a former regime that seeks to export that ideology, to try and sow terror, we are ready for that,” Hegseth said.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted that FBI counterterrorism and intelligence teams were on high alert.

“Last night, I instructed our counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on high alert and mobilize all assisting security assets needed,” Patel posted on X. “Our (Joint Terrorism Task Forces) throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland.

“While the military handles force protection overseas, the FBI remains at the forefront of deterring attacks here at home,” he said.

The West Virginia Emergency Management Division has not changed its operational status, a spokesman said. Anyone with a concern can report the information to the Fusion Center at https://fusioncenter.wv.gov, the spokesman said.

“We are monitoring and operating under normal conditions,” he said.

Information is closely monitored, Woodyard said. Deputies and other agencies in the county are trained to respond to threats and preparedness exercises are routinely held to ensure they are ready for any challenges, he said.

“Public safety is not something we take lightly,” Woodyard said. “It is our first responders’ mission every single day.”

Security, however, is a shared responsibility, according to Woodyard.

“I encourage everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, report suspicious activity directly to our 911 center, and work with your local law enforcement agencies to ensure our community stays safe,” Woodyard said. “If you see something that genuinely seems out of place or concerning, notify law enforcement. Remember, if you see something, say something. It is always better to check and be sure than to ignore something important.”

The sheriff also encouraged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information online.

“Rumors and speculation can create unnecessary fear and distract from real, actionable information,” he said. “Please rely on trusted sources and official updates.”