Anthrax Probe Back Near Hatfill's Ex-Home

By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press Writer

FREDERICK, Md. -- Federal authorities investigating the deadly anthrax attacks searched a forest Monday near the former home of a scientist described by authorities as "a person of interest" in the case.

FBI spokeswoman Debra Weierman in Washington said the search was "just a continuation of our investigation on the anthrax case." She declined to provide more information.

At least three roadblocks were set up around snow-covered forest land owned by the city of Frederick, where former Army biological weapons researcher Dr. Steven Hatfill used to live. Hatfill has denied involvement in the October 2001 attacks.

In December, dozens of federal agents closed roads, put up tents and combed ponds in the Catoctin Mountains during a weeklong search for evidence in the anthrax letters that killed five people and infected 18.

The area closed off Monday was about two miles long and a mile wide, in the hills above Fishing Creek Reservoir, a source of city drinking water. The land contains eight ponds. It is about two miles south of the area previously searched and about four miles northwest of the city.