WATERTOWN — A preacher lauded by some as a free speech hero has been charged with making a bomb threat on the same day of Watertown’s Pride in the Park event, court documents show.
On Friday, Dodge County . Multiple Wisconsin news outlets reported Friday that Schroeder called 911 to tell authorities that someone had told him there was a bomb in the park, citing a criminal complaint in the case.
If convicted, Schroeder faces up to $10,000 in fines and a maximum of three and a half years incarceration.
Schroeder was released Friday on a $5,000 signature bond, a condition of which requires him to “not post or comment on case on social media,†court records show. “Defendant shall not have any violent or abusive contact with anyone.â€
During the event, police placed handcuffs on Schroeder. Schroeder claimed at a subsequent Watertown council meeting he was arrested without a warning from police.
“When I showed up Saturday all I did was read from scripture on the sidewalk. I read from the Bible: Galatians,†Schroeder said. “I wasn’t reading any passage that spoke against homosexuality or anything like that. I was reading a passage from the Bible about love. And I was arrested. No reason. Not given any warning. Not told anything that my amplification needed to be turned down. I was arrested and taken into custody simply for reading the Bible on the sidewalk.â€
Police have declined to comment about the detention. The city council has met at least once in closed door session to discuss Pride in the Park and a possible lawsuit involving the city.
However, Schroeder has been vocal about his arrest. His detention has drawn condemnation from people aligned with factions opposed to the Pride in the Park event on religious grounds, and drawn public comment in the Daily Times’ editorial pages from as far away as Texas.
Schroeder also spoke at a private event about the arrest prior to his appearance in court on Friday.
Pride in the Park also drew the attendance of an armed hate group.
Organizers of the Pride in the Park event have pledged to hold the event again next year.
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