Man arrested after making bomb threats to Minford and Wheelersburg Schools

NEWS RELEASE​​​​​​​​

September 6, 2025

Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman stated that his office has been working with the Minford and Wheelersburg School Districts with bomb threats being made against their schools.

On Friday, September 5th, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the FBI indicating that Minford and Wheelersburg School Districts may be receiving bomb threats. Both Minford and Wheelersburg School Districts contacted the Sheriff’s Office indicating that they had received threats, which were posted on Facebook. Both school districts have Deputies working as School Resource Officers.

Sheriff Thoroughman advised that with the assistance of the FBI the threats were traced and identified in approximately five (5) minutes to a Franklin Furnace address. With the assistance of family members, the suspect was located and advised to come to the residence. Just prior to his arrival at the residence he stopped his vehicle and fled into the woods. With the continued assistance of the family the suspect was taken into custody around 6pm. The suspect did admit to detectives that the allegations that he made against all students and staff were lies.

Arrested was Brian Austin Sampson, age 26, of 777 Possum Hollow Rd. Wheelersburg, Ohio. Mr.

Sampson has been charged with Terroristic Threats, a felony of the 3rd degree, and Inducing Panic, a felony of the 2nd degree. Mr. Sampson will appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, September 8th and is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

The case is still under investigation and will be forwarded to the Scioto County Grand Jury. Anyone with additional information should contact Detective John Cart @ 740-354-7327.