ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A former City of Elkins water department employee is facing a terroristic threats charge after authorities say he made threats against the city’s mayor and President Donald J. Trump, leading to a lockdown of city offices.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy C. Waldron responded to the Elkins Fire Department on July 8 after receiving a report of threats.
Sheriff’s deputies spoke with Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, who said the city had recently terminated water department employee Christopher “Ben” Curtis. Marco told investigators that after being fired, Curtis allegedly began making threats toward the mayor and President Donald J. Trump. Authorities said multiple witness statements were collected regarding the alleged remarks.
The sheriff’s office said the reported threats prompted all City of Elkins offices to be placed on lockdown. Officials considered Curtis to be a credible threat to city employees, and investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging him with terroristic threats. An emergency ping was also placed on Curtis’ cellphone in an effort to locate him.
At about 7 p.m., Deputy E. Nazelrodt of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office located Curtis along County Route 42 in Grant County. Authorities said he was taken into custody without incident.
Curtis is charged with terroristic threats. As with all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
