CINCINNATI — FBI officials said Friday they arrested a man who allegedly threatened to blow up the Cincinnati Bengals' stadium and other area landmarks.
Frederick Purvis, 42, is accused of sending e-mails to two local media outlets and to the FBI threatening Paul Brown Stadium, four bridges over the Ohio River, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and an Indiana casino, FBI spokesman Mike Brooks said.
Brooks said Purvis was arrested Thursday at a hotel in Erlanger, Ky., near the airport. He was being held on federal charges of making bomb threats and distributing a bomb hoax. Brooks was expected to appear in court later Friday.
Purvis' father, also named Frederick, said his son has mental issues and is on medication. He said he doesn't believe his son really planned to carry out any threats.
"I don't think he could build a bomb if he wanted to," Purvis said. "I don't think there was any intent."
He said FBI agents came to his home Thursday evening to ask questions, but didn't provide much information on the charges against his son.
"I'm still in shock," the elder Purvis said.
Brooks said the son made threats in e-mails to WLW radio and WKRC television in Cincinnati, as well as to FBI headquarters in Washington. He declined to give other details.