San Anselmo Man Accused Of Threatening Town's Mayor Freed: Report

SAN ANSELMO, CA — A San Anselmo man who was arrested in connection with making violent threats against the town’s mayor in two voicemails laced with racial epithets has been released from jail, KTVU reports.

Jerald Welty, 63, is accused of leaving the messages threatening Mayor Brian Colbert on the town’s voicemail in which Welty identified himself according to the report.

Colbert is the first Black person elected to a city or town council in predominantly white Marin County according to the report.

"Voice mail messages were left that threatened physical violence and were racial in nature,” the Central Marin Police Department said in a statement.

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

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

But Welty was not charged, and his jail release included no conditions according to the report.

Colbert said in an interview that aired on the Bay Area’s Fox affiliate that he was not notified of Welty’s release.

“I was not given the courtesy of a heads up, unfortunately,” Colbert said.

“My wife and I are certainly puzzled by that.”

The suspect was arrested last week on suspicion of threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize with a hate crime and was being held on $150,000 according to police. Welty has been identified as the suspect by multiple outlets including KTVU.

A hate crime enhancement in connection with these charges was requested according to the Central Marin Police Department.

Colbert was granted a restraining order against Welty according to the report.