A Capitol rioter who was granted pretrial release after being charged in connection with the Capitol riot was ordered to return to jail while awaiting trial after he left lewd voicemails for his probation officer.
Prosecutors say Brandon Fellows, 27 left rambling and sometimes obscene voicemails for his pretrial services officer and once called her mother, which left both the officer and her mother feeling nervous.
Probation officer Kendra Rennie testified Wednesday that Fellows had been “problematic” throughout their contact while he was released on bail, according to CBS News.
In a May 19 voicemail Rennie said Fellows referenced “the size of his genitalia and the performance of his genitalia.”
Rennie also described a situation where Fellows called her mother asking to speak to her.
“It was intimidation. It was frightening. It made me nervous,” she said, and added that she ultimately went to pick up her mother, who felt “very uncomfortable” about the situation.
Fellows has been charged with multiple crimes including felony obstruction for his alleged role in the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. He is accused of entering the office of Sen. Jeffrey Merkley (D–Ore.), and was filmed propping his feet on an office desk while wearing a fake orange beard, prosecutors said.
He was released on bail prior to Thursday’s hearing.
Prosecutors tried to get his pretrial release revoked twice before Thursday but Judge Trevor McFadden declined. This time, Judge McFadden said Fellows’ pattern of behavior could no longer be given the benefit of the doubt.
“I don’t think you’re going to allow us to help you,” McFadden told Fellows during the hearing.
The judge also said there was a “mental health component” to Fellows’ behavior, Fellows has brushed off opportunities to obtain mental health treatment, despite the court’s efforts, according to CBS News.
“I am not convinced that you’re a danger to the community, but I do think you’re impulsive. I do think you’re headstrong, and you’re kind of gonna do what you’re gonna do,” McFadden said. “I tried really hard to avoid having to lock you up, but after months here, I don’t think I can be at all confident that there’s a condition or combination of conditions that you’ll adhere to.”
Fellows apologized for his “annoying” behavior in court, adding “I wouldn’t want to deal with me if I were on the opposing side.”
Fellows was offered a plea deal that would recommend a sentence of up to 21 months if he pleads guilty to a felony obstruction charge. He has not yet accepted.
