Louisville judge bans man from using social media after threats against Butchertown bar

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man accused of making threats on social media against a Butchertown bar pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of terroristic threatening.

During his court hearing Wednesday morning, a judge ordered 24-year-old Trey Anderson to stay off social media. Anderson allegedly threatened to use a hammer to "beat people's heads in" last week. The post also said Anderson planned to use explosives to destroy the building.

After the threats, the Butchertown bar ended up cancelling its "Feed Louisville Benefit Concert" over the weekend.

LMPD officers arrested Anderson on Tuesday, July 16.

Anderson's public defender tried unsuccessfully to convince the judge to lower his $20,000 cash bond in lieu of the home incarceration program, saying Anderson can't afford to pay that amount. The judge rejected that request, saying a lower bond would allow Anderson to return home to commit the same crime again.

"One concern for the court is the H.I.P. component is likely where most of this took place," Judge Kristina Garvey said. "Unfortunately, what is happening at homes and on computers can be as scary and dangerous as anywhere else."

Whirling Tiger co-owner Mark Evans hopes others learn from this incident.

"Even if it was a hoax, which he's alluded to, that's just not the right move," Evans said. "Hopefully there's a lesson to be learned here for him or for anyone who thinks that it's funny to threaten people's lives and safety."

If Anderson does post bond, he is not allowed to access social media. He is also prohibited from contacting The Whirling Tiger or its employees. He is due back in court July 25.

"It feels good to know that we can continue to do what we've been doing without anyone getting hurt or threatened to be hurt," Evans said.

The Whirling Tiger reopened Sunday and plans to reschedule the benefit concert sometime in August.

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