Man threatens to jump off tower in Van Buren County

KEOSAUQUA ? A Missouri teacher wanted on a child pornography charge in that state and who threatened to jump off a cellular tower in Van Buren County the weekend of June 3, waived extradition to Missouri Thursday.

Matthew Hansen, 38, of Winfield, Mo., was charged with felony possession of child pornography in Lincoln County, Missouri, which is just northwest of St. Louis.

At 8:45 p.m. June 3, the Van Buren County Sheriff?s Office received a 911 call from a man who stated he had climbed a cellular tower and was going to jump. He reported his location to be at Highway 2 and Nickel Avenue.

Deputies responded and confirmed the report, according to the sheriff?s office. Crisis negotiators were requested and were provided by the Iowa State Patrol. About 2:30 a.m. June 4, the negotiators were able to talk the man into climbing down.

He was taken to the Van Buren Coounty Hospital for an emergency mental committal.

The man was identified as 38-year-old Matthew Micheal Hansen of Winfield, Mo.

Thursday, Hansen was arrested by Van Buren Coounty deputies on a Missouri warrant charging him with possession of child pornography. Hansen waived extradition and was extradited back to Missouri Friday, according to the sheriff?s office.

According to an affidavit he filled out to get a court-appointed attorney, he was employed by the ?Fort Zumwalt School District? in Missouri, making $40,000 last year. The Van Buren County Sheriff?s Office confirmed Hansen was a teacher, but did not know what grades he taught. However, the judge who approved his request for court-appointed counsel noted ?it is believed the defendant has lost his employment and has no source of income.?

The Fort Zumwalt School District Administration Office was closed Friday and no one could be reached for comment.

Hansen faces two to seven years in prison or up to one year in the county jail, according to court records filed.