Howald bond reduction denied

A Jefferson County judge declined a request to reduce bond for John Russell Howald, 43, of Basin, who is accused of multiple counts of criminal endangerment, as well as assault on a county deputy.

Howald pleaded not guilty April 22 in the Fifth Judicial District Court and is being held under a $250,000 bond. His trial is likely scheduled for the week of Oct. 19, pending an order from Judge Luke Berger, according to Dorianne Woods, Jefferson County clerk of district court.

During Howard’s arraignment April 22, Chief Deputy Jefferson County Attorney Andrew Paul objected to the bond reduction request, stating, “He was in town and basically shooting up the place.”