Racial Threats Targeted San Anselmo Mayor: Report

SAN ANSELMO, CA – A suspect was arrested on suspicion of making racial threats targeting San Anselmo Mayor Brian Colbert, The Marin Independent Journal reports.

Colbert is the first Black person to be elected to San Anselmo’s Town Council.

A 63-year-year old suspect was arrested in connection with incident according to the Central Marin Police Department.

“He used words that we associate with the Jim Crow South, not Northern California in the 21st century,” Colbert told the IJ.

Police said in a statement Tuesday “Voice mail messages were left that threatened physical violence and were racial in nature.

“The suspect was quickly identified, and he was taken into custody within a few hours after the initial report.”

The suspect was identified Jerald Welty according to the IJ report.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of threatening a crime with intent to terrorize.

“A hate crime enhancement charge was also requested,” police said.

“Due to the serious nature of this crime a bail enhancement was granted and bail was set at $150,000.”

Investigators obtained a Gun Violence Restraining Order and confiscated several firearms after serving a search warrant at the suspect’s home, police said.

Read more in The Marin Independent Journal