News
May 22, 2008
Possible Columbine-style attack thwarted in Wood County
Police say man e-mailed threat on youth center
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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.
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.

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Posted By: ck (12:33am 05-22-2008)
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I agree.. paying only 10% of bond to a bail bondsman, this guy is only $20,000 away from getting out and doing who knows what. Don't these kids deserve to feel safe where they live? As an employee at PRWO, I myself will not feel safe once he is released. I know, or thought I knew, Frank and I am horrified that this ex NYC police officer will have the opportunity to follow through with these threats. He needs serious psychological counseling before being released on any account.

Posted By: Robin (6:31am 05-22-2008)
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Am I the only person who sees it odd that someone that obviously has some mental issues and was going to kill who knows how many, was even given a bond. I thought that the judge had the right to hold you without bond? If that is so and the judge actually considered it okay for him to be have the opportunity to post a bond and wonder around freely, well then I am afraid the judge could possibly have some issues also. It possible that the crime he was charged with did not allow that option but if it did that is very sad.

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