Police: County man threatens to detonate explosives

Schroyer allegedly demanded to speak with Dolly Parton

Connellsville -- A Bullskin Township man allegedly threatened to detonate explosives at several sites last week unless his demands were met involving country music legend Dolly Parton.

James A. Schroyer, 60, was placed in the Fayette County Jail without bond after issuing the threats then tussling with state troopers in his 713 Bear Rocks Road residence, according to a criminal complaint filed with District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr.

Just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, a Fayette 911 dispatcher told a state police communications officer at the Uniontown station that Schroyer threatened to "blow up several places" unless he could speak with Parton, an affidavit of probable cause filed with the criminal complaint stated.

In another call several minutes later, Schroyer told the police communications officer he had placed a large number of high explosives at the Mount Pleasant area Sheetz, the Westmoreland County Courthouse and a Pittsburgh parking lot, the affidavit states.

Schroyer allegedly said he would detonate the explosives at 6:30 p.m. if he did not see Parton's breast. In the same call, Schroyer provided police with his home address.

A state police patrol unit was dispatched to Schroyer's residence, initiating an emergency response.

As state police were en route to the scene, Schroyer called at 6:36 p.m. and said he intended to shoot any responding troopers, the affidavit states.

At 7:18 p.m., a Fayette 911 dispatcher told the police communications officer that Schroyer had called again with a threat to "blow up" a West Crawford Avenue residence in Connellsville.

When troopers arrived at 713 Bear Rocks Road, Schroyer exited his residence brandishing a silver firearm in one hand and what he said was a detonator in the other hand, the affidavit states.

He threatened to detonate one of his bombs, then retreated to the house, police said.

Over the next half hour, police issued commands to Schroyer, which were ignored. At that point, the troopers entered the residence and again issued commands.

When Schroyer refused a command to drop the detonator, a trooper deployed a Taser, police said.

As the troopers attempted to take Schroyer into custody, he resisted by keeping his arms tucked under his torso. After a brief struggle, Schroyer was placed in custody.

Police said the purported detonator actually was a television remote control.

Schroyer is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, eight each misdemeanor counts of terrorist threats and bomb threats, two misdemeanor counts each of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and a single misdemeanor count of recklessly endangering another person.

He faces a preliminary hearing 1:30 p.m. Aug. 30 before District Judge Richard Kasunic II in Perry Township.