The FBI has arrested and charged a local man for threatening to blow up several Tri-State landmarks.
According to FBI officials, 42-year-old Fred Purvis of Hamilton had several targets on his list, including four bridges over the Ohio River, Argosy Casino in Indiana, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Paul Brown Stadium. Under a false name, he sent e-mails from several hotels to media agencies saying the locations would be "blown up" between November 14 and November 16.
Purvis was arrested after the FBI made links between his e-mails and e-mailed threats sent to a Denver television station in October. He allegedly threatened to blow up the Denver International Airport.
Authorities say Purvis e-mailed the threats to several organizations, but never appeared ready to carry out the plots. FBI spokesperson Michael Brooks says there was no evidence found that Purvis intended to blow anything up. Several police agencies used extra resources to ensure there was no danger at the locations during the time he said the structures would be attacked.
The FBI says they took Purvis into custody Thursday night at a hotel in Erlanger, Kentucky for questioning.
He has been charged with making a threat in interstate commerce to use an explosive device and making a false terroristic threat. If convicted for both crimes, Purvis could spend a total of 15 years in jail.
Purvis faced a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Friday that ordered him to be detained and ordered a psychiatric exam.
The FBI is not releasing anymore information at this time, but a FBI spokesperson says more details may become available after the case is unsealed in federal court Friday afternoon.
Purvis is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
