A Butler Township man will continue to be held in the county prison on terroristic threats and related charges after his bail modification request was denied in Butler County Court on Wednesday.

Public Defender Kimberly Hudak, attorney for Darrell R. Pacoe, 43, of Butler, argued that Pacoe was entitled to bail in the case and requested he be released on non-monetary conditions.

Hudak argued that Pacoe has a stable family, that is involved in his defense, and received treatment for mental health issues, which have been stabilized.

Judge Timothy McCune denied the request, saying he was “not comfortable” releasing Pacoe, as no evidence was set forth regarding the argument.

Pacoe was charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats, two counts each of stalking, simple assault, disorderly conduct and accident involving damage to an attended vehicle and 14 summary offenses, including harassment, criminal mischief and reckless driving after an incident on Feb. 3.

“He put at least two victims in imminent danger of death,” McCune said, “ ... and during his treatment workers were concerned for his safety and the victims. This is a serious matter and I'm not releasing Mr. Pacoe unless I see some evidence. Mr. Pacoe is dangerous.”

Bail for Pacoe was initially set at $15,000 unsecured on Feb. 7 by District Judge Kevin O'Donnell, with the conditions of getting a mental health evaluation and having no contact with the victim, but on May 12 an emergency motion to detain him and modify bond was entered and granted, holding Pacoe pending further hearings, according to court records. This was based on two prosecution exhibits entered into evidence, which were sealed by the court and unable to be viewed by the public.

Following a mental health evaluation, Pacoe was indefinitely detained on an order issued by McCune on May 26, stating “The Court feels that no condition or combination of conditions other than imprisonment will reasonably assure the safety of PA and the community.”

Pacoe was charged after Butler Township Police say he allegedly caused a vehicle accident and harassed a woman he believed to be connected to drug trafficking.

Police allege that Pacoe had been stalking the woman, who lives near him, and reported to police that he had seen her vehicle acting suspiciously and suspected that the vehicle was “gang related,” according to the criminal complaint.

Pacoe then allegedly followed the woman and her friend in a separate vehicle through Butler before pulling in front of the woman's vehicle, slamming his brakes and put his car in reverse and hitting the front of her vehicle. He then allegedly got out of his truck and yelled “You're going to die!”

Pacoe is awaiting status conference on June 13, judicial conference on Aug. 9, and jury selection on Sept. 7.