MONROE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — Clarion-based State Police has released additional details regarding an area man who made threatening phone calls to the Clarion Psychiatric Center earlier this month.
(Photo by Dave Cyphert/ProPoint Media Photography.)
According to court documents, Clarion-based State Police on June 16 filed criminal charges against 44-year-old Christopher Charles Geibel, of Butler, in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office.
According to a criminal complaint, around 5:39 p.m on Thursday, June 9, Clarion County 9-1-1 transferred a call from Clarion Psychiatric Center to PSP Clarion regarding a threat toward staff members of the Clarion Psychiatric Center.
According to the complaint, staff at Clarion Psychiatric Center reported they received a call from a male, who indicated his first name was “Christopher,” and referenced his nickname as “Turtle.”
The caller, later identified as Christopher Geibel, was reported to have made threatening statements that he was currently within eyesight of the facility, and armed with a shotgun, the complaint states.
Geibel told staff if they did not open the door for him, he was going to shoot into the building, the complaint notes.
He also said he would shoot into the building if he was not provided medication and allowed to speak to a known nurse currently employed at the facility, the complaint indicates.
Geibel stated he was wearing “jet black” clothing, and if anyone came looking for him, he would shoot them. He also instructed staff to not contact police, the complaint continues.
Members from PSP-Clarion were dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was determined the Clarion Psychiatric Center was under lockdown protocol. All staff members and current patients were moved away from all exterior windows and entry points and access into the center was restricted. The scheduled visitation time set for that evening was also restricted, according to the complaint.
Due to being unaware of the Geibel’s whereabouts, the Clarion Hospital was notified to take precautions. Clarion Psychiatric staff related to the on-scene trooper that the caller was known to the facility as Christopher Charles Geibel, the complaint states.
Police were provided the phone number used by the caller, which was determined to be currently assigned to a wireless telephone account through Verizon Wireless. A court order was granted for active location information on the phone number, the complaint indicates.
Authorities made contact with Verizon Wireless’s Emergency Situation Center, which related the caller’s location was coming back to New Philadelphia, Ohio.
At 8:10 p.m., police contacted the target phone number. A male answered and indicated his name was “Turtle.” The caller admitted to making previous phone calls to the Clarion Psychiatric Center, saying he was making prank calls, the complaint notes.
On June 10, at 1:16 p.m., Clarion-based State Police spoke with New Philadelphia Police and determined they had several recent contacts with Geibel in their area between June 4 to June 9, the complaint states.
On June 14, police were informed by Clarion Psychiatric Center’s Risk Manager they had received additional calls from Geibel.
During one call, Geibel told a staff member he knew where she parked and was going to smash out her windows, the complaint indicates.
Geibel faces the following charges:
– Terroristic Threats Cause Serious Public Inconvenience, Felony 3
– Terroristic Threats With Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1
– Harassment — Communicates Lewd, Threatening, Etc. Language, Misdemeanor 3 (two counts)
He is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
RELATED:
Threatening Call to Clarion Psychiatric Center Prompts Police Response
