A Parkersburg man who allegedly threatened a Columbine-style attack at a center for troubled youth was arrested Wednesday by members of the Wood County Sheriff's Department.

Francis N. Balestire, 40, had a semi-automatic pistol and two loaded magazines when he was arrested less than seven miles from the Pressley Ridge facility in Walker, said Wood County Sheriff Ken Merritt.

Balestire is a Pressley Ridge employee who was on administrative leave and was under investigation, Merritt said. It was unclear why Balestire was on leave.

On Wednesday morning, someone passed on an e-mail sent by Balestire, the sheriff said.

"He was going to 'burn the building to the ground as well as make the staff pay with pints of blood,' " Merritt said, quoting the e-mail. "He also said that he'd make Columbine, Ruby Ridge and all the other shootings look like a video game."

Police spotted Balestire driving on W.Va. 31 between W.Va. 2 and U.S. 50 toward Pressley Ridge, he said. Sheriff's deputies and members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force apprehended him during a traffic stop around 2 p.m., Merritt said.

In addition to the gun and ammunition, deputies found additional "paraphernalia," Merritt said. He declined to elaborate on what kind of items, saying the matter was still under investigation.

Merritt also wouldn't say who received the threatening e-mail, but he did say that Balestire was immediately identifiable as the sender.

Balestire was charged with threatening to commit a terrorist act. He was being held Wednesday at North Central Regional Jail on $200,000 bond.

"We're still [conducting] our investigation, and there could be more charges filed," Merritt said.

The sheriff praised the efforts of his deputies and other officers, calling the arrest "textbook."

"This is what we're trained to do," he said.

To contact staff writer Andrew Clevenger, use e-mail or call 348-1723.

A Parkersburg man who allegedly threatened a Columbine-style attack at a center for troubled youth was arrested Wednesday by members of the Wood County Sheriff's Department.

Francis N. Balestire, 40, had a semi-automatic pistol and two loaded magazines when he was arrested less than seven miles from the Pressley Ridge facility in Walker, said Wood County Sheriff Ken Merritt.

Balestire is a Pressley Ridge employee who was on administrative leave and was under investigation, Merritt said. It was unclear why Balestire was on leave.

On Wednesday morning, someone passed on an e-mail sent by Balestire, the sheriff said.

"He was going to 'burn the building to the ground as well as make the staff pay with pints of blood,' " Merritt said, quoting the e-mail. "He also said that he'd make Columbine, Ruby Ridge and all the other shootings look like a video game."

Police spotted Balestire driving on W.Va. 31 between W.Va. 2 and U.S. 50 toward Pressley Ridge, he said. Sheriff's deputies and members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force apprehended him during a traffic stop around 2 p.m., Merritt said.

In addition to the gun and ammunition, deputies found additional "paraphernalia," Merritt said. He declined to elaborate on what kind of items, saying the matter was still under investigation.

Merritt also wouldn't say who received the threatening e-mail, but he did say that Balestire was immediately identifiable as the sender.

Balestire was charged with threatening to commit a terrorist act. He was being held Wednesday at North Central Regional Jail on $200,000 bond.

"We're still [conducting] our investigation, and there could be more charges filed," Merritt said.

The sheriff praised the efforts of his deputies and other officers, calling the arrest "textbook."

"This is what we're trained to do," he said.

To contact staff writer Andrew Clevenger, use e-mail or call 348-1723.