Colorado judge declines to lower bond for veteran charged with attacking reporter in the name of ‘Trump’s America’

(CN) — Citing concerns about community safety, a Colorado judge on Thursday declined to lower the $20,000 bond levied against a Marine veteran who is charged with harassing and assaulting a local reporter in the name of “Trump’s America.”

“I was fully prepared to increase your bond today,” 21st Judicial District Judge Jennilynn Lawrence said during a hearing. “Certainly, I think when you are in your right mind, you would know these are not the types of behaviors we would expect of Marines, and similarly they are not the types of behaviors we can have in the community.”

On Dec. 18, 2024, police say Patrick Egan, 39, pursued KKCO News reporter Ja’Ronn Alex roughly 40 miles from Delta, Colorado, to the Western Slope city of Grand Junction. At a red light, Egan pulled up alongside Alex, according to the arrest affidavit, and shouted, “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”

Alex, who is of Pacific Islander descent, returned to the news station where Egan blocked his escape, put him in a headlock and strangled him, according to the affidavit.

Police charged Egan with second-degree assault, bias-motivated crime and harassment.

At Thursday’s hearing, public defender Ruth Swift spoke of Egan’s decades-long struggle with mental health and pledged to ensure he receives treatment upon release.

One associate of Egan, Ben Wilson, said he’s received harassment on Facebook for standing by his friend’s side.

“Patrick has been like a brother to me for the last five years,” Wilson told the court. “When I got the news of what happened, that’s not Patrick. I’ve seen him get sick before, I’ve helped him in the past and he’s helped me.”

Victoria Fazzino, deputy attorney for Colorado’s 21st Judicial District, opposed lowering Egan’s bond.

“The victim in this case objects to any modification of bond,” Fazzino said. “The allegations in this case are very concerning.”

If released on bond, the court has also prohibited Egan from possessing firearms or weapons and ordered him to remain 1,000 feet away from the victim, including locations where the reporter is working.

“If you are in a place and you see reporters, you should probably remove yourself,” Lawrence advised.

The hearing was held at the Mesa County Justice Center and broadcast online.

Egan is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 16.

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