Teen threatens bush from library computer: FBI traces e-mail to VA branch; orders student to write paper on homeland security.(news)(George W. Bush)(Brief Article)

A Virginia teen's recent prank backfired when he used a local library computer to threaten to kill President George Bush, blow up the White House, and take hostages unless he received a $2,000 ransom. The boy was caught and ordered to write a research paper on homeland security and law enforcement--without using a computer.

"It all got started when he used one of our computers and actually sent an e-mail to the FBI Web site, as well as the White House," said a spokesperson at the Vinton Library in Vinton, VA. Although the teen was a longtime library user who was familiar to many librarians, they were unaware that he had sent the e-mail until they were contacted by the …