September 1, 2022 at 11:16 a.m.
Terrorist threat case appears headed toward resolution
Terrorist threat case appears headed toward resolution
By River News Staff-
During a brief pretrial conference in the Adam Bauman case Tuesday afternoon, public defender Breanna Magallones advised the court that preliminary discussions are underway and a resolution may be forthcoming. To that end, she asked that another pretrial conference be scheduled in the near future.
Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom responded by setting a pretrial conference for the afternoon of Oct. 4.
The hearing came just days after Bloom amended the bond set in the case from $50,000 cash to $5,000 and ordered a $5,000 surety bond be signed by a family member.
Magallones filed a motion for bond modification after reviewing discovery material received from the state. Namely, she noted that the primary witness in the case is not cooperating with the prosecution.
She characterized the witness as "hiding" from law enforcement and alleged the state has not been able to locate corroborating forensic evidence.
According to the criminal complaint, a police investigation began in early June after an adult alerted Lakeland Union High School officials that she had observed a picture of an assault rifle on a message Bauman allegedly sent to her child.
It was also noted in the complaint that Bauman was expelled from high school in 2019 following an incident where he "went down the hallways and pretended to shoot into classrooms."
Following his arrest, Bauman 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 and "home defense," the complaint states.
In analyzing a cellphone belonging to Bauman, investigators also found messages where Bauman allegedly told others he was "researching Columbine" (referring to the 1999 mass shooting at a Colorado high school that killed 15 people) as well as a conversation he had with a friend regarding the May 14 mass shooting in a Buffalo, N.Y. grocery store, the complaint said.
Classes and activities in two school districts were canceled as a result of the alleged threat.
Bauman's bond conditions include no use of any device that can connect to the internet, no possession of firearms and no communication with any school employee in Oneida County. He is also prohibited from going on any school premises in the county for any reason. Bloom also set a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and indicated Bauman is not to leave his family member's residence except as necessary if employed to meet his obligations as a "payroll employee."
If convicted of the Class I felony, he faces a maximum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison.
Comments:
You must login to comment.