A California man arrested last year after allegedly making threatening comments at the Baxter County Department of Human Services (DHS) office has had his charge reduced and has been sentenced to time served.
During a bench trial on Monday in Baxter County Circuit Court, Judge Andrew Bailey ruled that prosecutors did not meet the burden of proof to sustain a felony terroristic threatening charge against 35-year-old De Markus Brown. The charge was reduced to a Class A misdemeanor, and Brown is set to be released from the Baxter County Detention Center on Friday, August 14, after spending 485 days in custody.
In April 2025, Brown, who has listed his address as Los Angeles and identified himself as a security guard, was arrested following an incident at the Mountain Home DHS office. According to a probable cause affidavit, staff members reported that Brown made comments about having a weapon and harming others, which prompted concern. Police were called to the scene, employees were moved to a secure area, and Brown was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators initially noted that a records check suggested Brown had a prior felony conviction in Texas. However, this information was later determined to be incorrect, and Brown’s possession of a firearm at the time of the incident was deemed legal. Brown reportedly had been in the Mountain Home area as part of plans to relocate to Little Rock for work.
During the trial, the state's witnesses included three DHS employees who testified about Brown’s comments and a former police investigator. The employees recounted statements they believed could be credible threats. Brown’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Christopher Sant, argued that his client’s remarks, described as "mumbling" and disjointed, were the result of a mental health episode rather than genuine threats of violence. Sant emphasized that Brown did not display a weapon or engage in aggressive actions during the incident.
Court records reveal that Brown’s case has been atypical. At one point, Brown represented himself in court, filing numerous handwritten motions and letters that were described as incomprehensible at times. He later resumed representation by legal counsel. A psychological evaluation conducted in September of last year diagnosed Brown with an unspecified schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The report noted poor impulse control, delusional statements, and mistaken beliefs about his security credentials, but ultimately found him competent to proceed with legal proceedings.
Brown’s attorney asserted that many of his client’s statements were influenced by delusions or borrowed directly from well-known rap lyrics. A self-described expert on hip-hop culture, who submitted an unsolicited opinion for the case, argued that Brown's comments were more reflective of “performative rap tropes” than genuine threats.
Brown’s legal troubles were further compounded by a July courtroom outburst during which he repeatedly interrupted proceedings. His disruptive behavior led Judge Bailey to hold him in contempt of court and impose a 12-month jail sentence. That sentence was also reduced to time served during Monday's hearing.
The initial arrest occurred on April 9, 2025, when Brown visited the DHS office to apply for SNAP benefits. Witnesses reported that he made troubling remarks, such as saying, “I’m going to kill you, you’ve got notice,” and referencing a firearm. Brown’s attorney noted that he also expressed gratitude to a staff member for assisting with his application. At the time of his arrest, Brown’s bond had been set at $250,000.
Brown is expected to be released later this week, concluding a case marked by numerous legal filings, mental health evaluations, and reductions in charges.