By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 29-year-old Clanton man who has been charged with threatening to go on a “killing spree” remains in the Shelby County Jail after a Shelby County Circuit Court judge denied his request for a lower bond.

Circuit Court Judge Lara Alvis on Dec. 15 denied a bond reduction request from Jeremie Jonathan Montgomery, who lists an address on Chilton County 81 in Clanton, after “reviewing all evidence and arguments of counsel.”

The request to lower Montgomery’s bond, which was filed in early June by Montgomery’s attorney, Michael Hensley, claims Montgomery’s $500,000 bond “is more than 30 times greater than the recommended bail schedule” for the charge, and said the “bond is so excessive as to actually create a ‘No bond’ in this matter.”

Hensley claimed a search of Montgomery’s home found no ammunition or firearms in the suspect’s home, property or motor vehicle, and claimed there was “no proof found that (Montgomery) tried or had the capacity to carry out any online threats.”

Hensley also claimed the photo Montgomery posted with the threat was about five years old, and was followed up with a post claiming the post was a “joke.”

“The alleged postings were made during the Halloween weekend, a holiday known for jokes and pranks,” read the request.

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team arrested Montgomery on Nov. 1, 2015, after he allegedly made a Facbeook post earlier in the day threatening violence at two businesses. The arrest happened at Montgomery’s residence off Chilton County 81 “without incident,” according to the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office.

In the Facebook post, Montgomery, brandishing an SKS rifle, wrote “I feel (like) going on a killing spree today,” and specifically named Flowers Baking Company in Birmingham and the Alabama Crown distribution center in Alabaster.

“They messed over the wrong person and it’s about to go down like that,” Montgomery wrote. “I got 30 rounds and I’m trying to (use) the whole clip and some more.”

After he was arrested and charged in Chilton County, Montgomery was transported to the Shelby County Jail, where he faces a felony terrorist threat charge related to the threat against Alabama Crown.

Montgomery is now set to appear in court for a status call on Jan. 9, 2017, at 8:30 a.m.