Craig Osmanberg makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon in Chehalis.
A Chehalis man fired a gun into the ground at property that abuts Adna Elementary School and shouted threatening messages regarding teachers, authorities say.
Craig R. Osmanberg, 62, was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment and harassment. He’s being held in the Lewis County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Lewis County deputies on Thursday went to an address on Dieckman Road, right next to the school after a complainant said there was a man there shooting guns while kids were outside for recess.
A staff member at the school told deputies the man — Osmanberg — was heard shouting: “Kids don’t need to listen to the f****** teachers! I can shoot the teachers!”
A person who lives at the nearby residence said Osmanberg has been allowed to stay on the property in his RV.
When deputies talked with Osmanberg, he said he had been shooting into the ground and didn’t intend to do it when kids were around.
Deputies later learned Osmanberg has a prior felony conviction and wasn’t legally allowed to own a gun. During the execution of a search warrant on Osmanberg’s RV, deputies say they found a .45 rifle and a .22 revolver.
During a preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Monday afternoon, Judge James Lawler placed Osmanberg on a $50,000 bond — a less harsh option than the $100,000 suggested by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office. Defense attorney Rachael Tiller argued for an unsecured amount, meaning Osmanberg would go free as long as he showed up to future hearings and abided by certain rules. Tiller based the recommendation on Osmanberg’s aged criminal history.
Lawler said given the alleged threats and use of a gun, a secured bond was appropriate.
Osmanberg has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Thursday.
