INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A man suspected of threatening to shoot deputies told them he would burn down a sergeant’s home that he helped build, officials said.
James Cody Gehrke, 30, of the 9100 block of 103rd Court, was charged with corruption by threat. He was released Monday from the Indian River County Jail on $25,000 bond.
Deputies went to Gehrke’s home about 6 p.m. Jan. 22 because he had an active “order to take into custody” under the Marchman Act. The act allows mandatory assessment and treatment of someone who is abusing drugs or alcohol and appears to be a danger to themselves or others, officials said.
Deputies saw ammunition inside of Gehrke’s home when they detained him. The man had threatened to shoot deputies if they came to the residence, according to the Marchman Act paperwork.
After being taken into custody, Gehrke told a sergeant that he knew him and where he lived because he helped build the man’s home. Gehrke told the sergeant, “I’m going to come kick your (expletive) door in and see how you like it,” deputies said.
While en route to the hospital for an evaluation, Gehrke kept making statements that the “revolution was happening” and that “all law enforcement officers would be dead soon.”
Deputies were driving southbound on 66th Avenue when Gehrke told them,”I’m going to break out of this place if I have to. I’ll make sure I burn that (sergeant’s name) house down too.”
The sergeant confirmed that Gehrke did in fact help build his home, but then said he didn’t know Gehrke personally or what his intentions were after being detained. The threats from Gehrke caused the sergeant to be in fear for the safety of his family and property.
Gehrke has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 28 in court, court records show.
