A Mineral Springs, Ark., man accused of threatening to hang seven area mayors if they didn't put prayer and the Ten Commandments back in public schools was released from custody by a federal judge Monday.
Under questioning by Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson, Bryan said he often hangs himself with rope from tall pine trees.
"I can hang you in a tree, put a diaper on you and hit you with a switch," Bryan said. "But I never meant no harm to no man."
Bryan explained that he wanted to get the officials' attention.
"I wanted them to think. I know they're too arrogant to act," Bryan said under questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris.
FBI Special Agent Peyton Tucker of the Joint Terrorism Task Force said the letters mailed to the mayors were signed 2nd Lt. Gary Owen, which is the same name appearing in a recent Thrifty Nickel advertisement "seeking to borrow $23 million to equip and train Christian militia to restructure the country."
Tucker said a confidential source recently responded to the ad and met with Bryan at his home in mid-February. Tucker said the meeting was recorded and that Bryan expressed a desire to hang all living U.S. presidents, "especially Jimmy."
"I don't remember using the term hang," Bryan said in response to questions from Harris about killing presidents. "Prison, yes. But that's what we used to do for treason in America."
Tucker said FBI analysts who compared the handwritten letters to the mayors to samples of Bryan's handwriting identified Bryan as the author of the letters.
"Of course," Bryan said when Harris asked him if he penned the letters to the seven mayors.
Harris asked Bryan if he recalls telling FBI agents he should have fought them.
"I'm a pretty tough old bird when I want to be. I'm a little brawler," Bryan said. "I don't mind busting you in the jaw, bloodying your nose, or dotting your eye."
Federal probation officer Amanda Jordan said Bryan was convicted of interstate motor vehicle theft in 1987 and of being a felon in possession of a firearm in 1998 and 2014. Bryan is currently serving a term of felony probation in Howard County for the most recent weapons charge, and officials there intend to file a motion to revoke based on the new arrest for threatening the mayors, Jordan said. Jordan said Bryan has been compliant with his state probation except for refusing to submit a sample of his DNA as required upon a felony conviction.
Peyton said a 12-gauge shotgun and various types of ammunition were found in Bryan's bedroom during a search of his house and that he has been warned by Howard County deputies that he is not allowed to wear a pistol.
Harrelson asked Bryan if he would appear in court as directed.
"I'd be here early," Bryan said.
Bryan said he would make himself available as well for home visits from officials.
"They are quite welcome to show up five days a week, six days a week, even on Sunday," Bryan said.
Harris said the government is concerned that Bryan represents a threat to the community and asked that he remain in jail.
Harrelson argued that the government did not prove Bryan is a danger.
"A lot is put into words that may mean different things to different people," Harrelson said.
After taking a short recess to consider the case, Craven announced she is freeing Bryan on a $10,000 unsecured bond with strict conditions while his case proceeds. Craven warned Bryan that he is forbidden to possess a firearm and ordered him to have no contact with the mayors he is accused of threatening to hang.
"Don't attend any civic or community functions where the mayors may be," Craven said.
Craven also told Bryan that he must submit a DNA sample if asked to do so.
If found guilty of threatening the seven Arkansas mayors, Bryan faces a fine of up to $250,000, up to five years in federal prison or both on each count. Bryan is scheduled for a jury trial in mid-May before U.S. District Judge Harry Barnes in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas.