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Threats against electric co-op alleged

A Newport area man is in the Washington County Jail after he allegedly threatened to shoot employees and damage property of Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Jeremy L. Plessinger, 30, of 18460 County Road Nine, reportedly made the threats Friday during a phone call to the electric cooperative offices on Highland Ridge Road, according to Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.

Company officials told Mincks that Plessinger’s power had been turned off briefly for maintenance after which Plessinger called the office and said his electricity had been shut off with no prior notice. The Washington Electric Cooperative official who answered the phone said Plessinger also demanded to have his power restored by Saturday or he would use his chainsaw to cut down all of the company’s poles and would then shoot the company employees.

Mincks said company officials notified his office of the harassing call at 1:15 p.m. Friday and said they were concerned and in fear for their safety.

Plessinger was arrested without incident at his home Saturday, charged with one count of telephone harassment, a first-degree misdemeanor, and two counts of menacing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

He is currently housed in the Washington County Jail in lieu of bond, pending an appearance in Marietta Municipal Court today.

Bond for two counts of menacing is $1,500, and bond for the telephone harassment charge is $1,000.

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