Portsmouth, OH – An Ohio man was taken into custody Friday after allegedly making bomb threats against Minford and Wheelersburg school districts, according to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Sheriff David Thoroughman, his office was contacted by the FBI on Friday, Sept. 5, regarding online threats directed at the two districts. Officials said the threats were posted on Facebook, prompting both districts to notify the sheriff’s office. Each district has school resource officers working with law enforcement.
Investigators said they were able to trace the threats within five minutes to a Franklin Furnace residence. With the assistance of family members, deputies located the suspect, who initially fled into the woods before being taken into custody around 6 p.m. The sheriff’s office said the suspect later admitted to detectives that the threats he allegedly made about students and staff were false.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Brian Austin Sampson of Wheelersburg. Authorities said Sampson has been charged with making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony, and inducing panic, a second-degree felony. He is being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $30,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, Sept. 8.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the case remains under investigation and will be presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective John Cart at 740-354-7327.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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