LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A southern Indiana man is accused of making threats to Jeffersonville Police.
A not guilty plea was entered for Derek Avery, of Jeffersonville, in court Thursday morning. He's charged with multiple counts of intimidation. Judge Kenneth Lopp kept Avery's bond at $500,000 cash.
Avery is accused of threatening police over the phone, then showing up to the Jeffersonville Police Department "wearing body armor, armed with two handguns on his person, and an AR-15 style rifle in the passenger seat next to him," according to his arrest report.
Because they were anticipating his arrival, police cleared the front of its headquarters and had officers in tactical gear ready to meet Avery in the parking lot, where he was arrested.
According to police, Avery lives at The Jeff apartments on Ellingsworth Dairy Drive. They said he called 911 from the complex to request police to file a complaint. According to police, Avery said he would be armed with a rifle and handgun.
Police said just a few days before on Aug. 9, they had responded to a domestic disturbance call involving Avery where he "displayed aggressive and hostile behavior toward uniformed JPD officers."
They said on Monday when Avery called police, it "initially sounded as if he wanted to make a complaint" against one of the officers. Police said Avery ended up escalating his tone and making threats against Jeffersonville Police in general and specifically against one of the officers.
Police said after that is when Avery ended up driving to the police station where he was taken into custody. He was charged several counts of intimidation.
Jeffersonville Police said Avery's girlfriend, Megan Adams, was arrested while trying to leave the their home while armed with an AR-15 style rifle, a handgun and extra ammunition. She is facing drug charges after police said investigators found evidence of narcotics in the residence.
Both have been arrested and are being held in the Clark County Jail.
Avery's attorney, a public defender, said in court Thursday that Avery does not have a criminal history.
Another hearing to address Avery's bond is scheduled for Aug. 19. If he is able to post bond, Judge Lopp ordered he not go to his apartment complex.
As of now, a trial date is scheduled for Feb. 2025.
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