October 15, 2018 at 4:44 p.m.
Woodruff man accused of making terrorist threats to law enforcement released on signature bond
Woodruff man accused of making terrorist threats to law enforcement released on signature bond
By Abigail Bostwick-
According to court records, Brendan Devlin allegedly created anti-police and anti-government Facebook posts. The Vilas County Sheriff's Department investigated the posts after being tipped off to them approximately 19 hours after they were made. Police called out the SWAT team and Devlin was arrested Sept. 1 after fleeing from arrest and being tased, the complaint states.
Devlin is charged in Vilas County Circuit Court with felony terrorist threats, three counts misdemeanor bail jumping, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. The bail jumping charges stem from an open case in Vilas County, where, in July of 2016, Devlin allegedly sent computer messages threatening a man regarding his business.
At the preliminary hearing Friday, Vilas County detective sergeant Cody Remick testified regarding his investigation into the Facebook posts.
Remick said some posts referenced individual law officers and agencies while others were directed toward government and law as a whole. Remick said one of the posts referred to a movie scene where a man is dragged and brutally killed against a curb - Devlin had indicated this was "How I envision tomorrow's trip to Eagle River tomorrow."
"This would be how he would do this, one by one, is how he imagined it," Remick testified.
Devlin also referenced the movie scene as to how law enforcement and government would be "dealt with" if they didn't "confess their crimes."
Devlin's defense attorney Chad Lynch told the court he didn't feel the felony charge was appropriate.
"I'm not sure the level of Facebook posts rises to the truth level," he said, referring to the jury instructions associated with the charge. "Mr. Devlin is not a terrorist."
Assistant district attorney David Breedlove noted the case had not yet reached the issue of credibility.
"The video referenced is a violent one," Breedlove said. "Those who didn't confess ... would find out their fate ... making posts and threatening to the police, 'This is what's going to happen,' does rise (to probable cause) ... there is adequate information to bind him over."
Additionally, Breedlove indicated, threats were made against civilians, potentially causing public fear and panic.
"There was no true reason about threats to support this felony conviction," said Lynch, who also pointed out a significant amount of time had passed between his client's last run-in with the law and this one.
"There is a history of mental health concerns with Mr. Devlin," Breedlove added. He questioned if the court could order some type of mental health evaluation or treatment.
Lynch and Devlin confirmed Devlin is not currently being treated. When asked if he was being counseled, Devlin said he was by "many clergy members."
"Without dealing with these issues, he remains a potential danger to others," Breedlove said.
Judge Neal Nielsen found there was probable cause to believe Devlin had committed a felony and bound him over for trial.
"He does have a history of making statements about law enforcement and government officials ... it's hard to know at this stage of proceedings what the intent of Mr. Devlin might have been ... clearly it raised concern for law enforcement as they were specifically referenced," he said. "It's not the world's strongest case, but it is plausible."
At Lynch's request, Devlin's $500 cash bond was lowered to a $2,500 signature bond. Devlin was expected to be released from the Vilas County Jail. He will not be under mental health obligations but may not use Facebook. Arraignment in this case is set for later this month.
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