June 13, 2022 at 11:55 a.m.
$50,000 cash bond set in terrorist threat case
$50,000 cash bond set in terrorist threat case
Adam J. Bauman was charged Friday with one count of terrorist threats - create risk of causing result.
According to the criminal complaint, Bauman is accused of creating "an unreasonable and substantial risk of causing public panic or fear" and threatening to cause the death of, or inflict bodily harm, to a pair of Oneida County school officials.
The Class I felony carries a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison.
Bauman, who was arrested on Wednesday, made his initial appearance Friday afternoon before circuit judge Mike Bloom.
When asked for the state's recommendation as to bond, Oneida County district attorney Mike Schiek stressed the gravity of the alleged behavior as well as the defendant's history.
"Your Honor, the state would be requesting a $50,000 cash as bond based upon the facts set forth in the police report attached to the complaint," Schiek said, noting that the police report indicates some "very serious threats" and "disturbing" statements were made involving two specific school officials and weapons were purchased.
"It's still a fluid investigation," he added, noting that investigators were talking with people throughout the state trying to gather more information.
"I think law enforcement did a fantastic job with the initial investigation," he added.
"Just based on the information that's contained in the complaint, as well as his previous history, I do think that amount of cash is appropriate," he concluded.
Bauman, who was not represented by counsel at the hearing, was asked if he wanted to make a statement with respect to bond.
He responding by calling the situation "a big misunderstanding."
"I mean I've gone through this before. I don't have any intentions to do such a horrible thing," he said. "There's some pretty bad stuff that I say that should never see the light of day, but I would never act on it ever."
According to the complaint, the investigation began after a woman alerted Lakeland Union High School officials that she had observed a picture of an assault rifle on a message Bauman sent to her child.
The complaint also states that Bauman was expelled from high school in 2019 following an incident where he "went down the hallways and pretended to shoot into classrooms."
Bauman, who was taken into custody at his home, admitted to investigators that he purchased firearms and ammunition in Rhinelander on June 7.
"Investigators were provided with a receipt indicating Adam Bauman purchased a semi-automatic rifle as well as a drum magazine that holds approximately 60 rounds," the complaint states. "Adam also purchased ammunition for the rifle and a shotgun. Adam paid cash for these purchases."
Bauman told investigators the weapons were for coyote hunting as well as "home defense", the complaint states.
In reviewing a cellphone belong to Bauman, investigators also found messages where Bauman allegedly told others he was "researching Columbine" as well as a conversation he had with a friend regarding the recent mass shooting in a Buffalo, N.Y. grocery store, the complaint said.
Before setting bond, Bloom referenced the May 24 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas as well as the recent murder of a retired Juneau County judge.
"Within the last three weeks in the State of Texas there was an incident in which 22 people were killed and 17 people injured by a gunman at a school. Within the last week, there was a retired public official in the State of Wisconsin that was murdered and questions have been raised regarding the individuals involved in these events as to why weren't the warning signs heeded, why weren't red flags detected, etc. At this point, the interior of the defendant's mind, as to what was or wasn't potentially intended, has yet to be determined in a conclusive way. But the situation at this point is sufficiently extreme that the gravity of the situation in and of itself implicates appearance in court to the extent that the cash bond requested by the state is appropriate," the judge said.
If he posts bond, Bauman may not communicate with any school employee in Oneida County or go on any school premises in the county. He is prohibited from possessing firearms as well as any device that can be used to connect to the internet. Finally, he is not allowed to the leave the county without authorization. An adjourned initial appearance in this case was set for Monday afternoon, June 13, and Bauman was advised as to his options with respect to obtaining legal counsel.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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