SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter unhappy with the city of Wichita's mask mandate who was arrested Friday for threatening to kidnap and kill the mayor made his first court appearance Tuesday.
Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, was charged with three counts of criminal threat, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life.
The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.
In Kansas, criminal threat is a level 9 felony which means, depending on his criminal record, it’s possible Mr. Dowty could receive anywhere from probation to 17 months in prison on each count, if he’s convicted, according to the district attorney.
He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to return to court November 5.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY —A retired firefighter who was upset with the city’s mask ordinance has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill Wichita’s mayor.
Meredith Dowty, 59, Wichita, could face a charge of criminal threat.
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said he had been read text messages received by another city official that asked about the mayor’s address and threatened his life.
The mayor says the suspect talked about tyranny in the messages and was upset about the mask mandates and not being able to see his mother because of COVID-19 restrictions on elderly homes.