A Gilbert, Arizona man is facing felony charges after police allege he stalked a former high school classmate for months and left voicemails threatening violence, including an alleged threat to drive a U-Haul through a Pride parade and open fire. Austin Jay Curtis, 32, was arrested at his home on October 12, Maricopa County jail and court records show. He is charged with felony stalking, a felony count of making a terrorist threat, and a misdemeanour count of threatening or intimidating, with bond set at $75,000. The charges are allegations and he has not been convicted.

Source: PinkNews

Police allege Curtis contacted the woman — a former schoolmate he had not been friends with — through social media and left her more than 100 voicemails. She had reported the alleged harassment to police in July, according to court records cited by ABC15 and FOX 10 Phoenix. Some messages allegedly included threats against her and statements about attacking people at a Pride parade.

Source: The Phoenix Focal

Bags at her door, a bomb squad — and no explosives

The investigation intensified on October 11, when the woman reported suspicious bags and boxes outside her Chandler home and said she recognised Curtis's voice calling her name, police say. Because earlier messages had allegedly mentioned bombs, a bomb disposal team checked the items and found no explosives — officers instead found knives, keys, dog-waste bags and other belongings. Curtis later allegedly told investigators he left the knives because he thought the woman needed a way to defend herself.

Source: The Phoenix Focal

A search of his residence led officers to seize several firearms, including an assault-type rifle, as well as electronic devices and bladed weapons, Attitude reported from court records. After his arrest, Curtis allegedly described his threats as "jokes" and a test of free-speech limits, and said he was surprised it had taken this long to be arrested, according to reporting from ABC15 cited in local coverage.

Source: Attitude

Authorities have not named a specific Pride event as the alleged target; Phoenix Pride was held over the weekend of October 10. If released on bond, court records say Curtis must wear an electronic monitor, follow a curfew and have no contact with the woman. A preliminary hearing was listed for October 22 in local reporting. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Source: PinkNews