Judge urged to deny jail release for JCC threat suspect over COVID-19 concerns

A U.S Attorney is asking the U.S District Court to deny the release of the man accused of directing threats toward Youngstown’s Jewish Community Center.
James Reardon's attorneys have previously asked that he be released from jail until his next court hearing amid concern over the COVID-19 pandemic and speedy trial concerns.
Acting on behalf of 21-year-old James Reardon of New Middletown, Attorneys and Ross T. Smith and Ed Czopur filed a motion last week for pretrial release in U.S. District Court.
On Wednesday an Attorney for the U.S District Court to deny the request citing that, "no conditions of the release would ensure the safety of the community."
While no official decision has been made the request stated, "The nature and circumstance of the case weigh 'in favor of detention given the seriousness of and violent nature of the offense.'"
Reardon, facing charges of transmitting a threatening communication and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, has been in the Mahoning County jail since mid-August.
Reardon was arrested after allegedly posting an Instagram video in which he was seen firing a weapon with the caption "Police identified the Youngstown Jewish Family Community shooter as white nationalist Seamus O'Reardon," designed to look like a mock news headline.
The response goes on to say, "The defendant does not allege that he has COVID-19 symptoms. In this way, he is not seeking release based on his actual 'physical and mental health.' Instead, he relies solely on the possibility of becoming infected."
Defense attorneys have agreed to postpone Reardon’s pretrial while plea bargaining negotiations continue.