A Missoula man banned from attending Missoula City Council meetings after making death threats against elected officials and others has been formally charged and is being held on a $100,000 bond.

Brandon Bryant, 34, appeared Thursday in court, where he was charged with one felony count of threats and improper influence in official and political matters. The charge is a felony that could include 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Bryan was advised not to speak at his initial court appearance on Thursday, though he ignored that advice by claiming he was being stalked and was afraid for his and his mother's life. He also claimed that someone else had sent the YouTube video he made about killing members of the City Council.

According to court documents, Bryant admitted to a Missoula police officer to making and posting the video where he said he would "hunt people and exterminate them."

Bryant is banned from contacting any City Council member or entering city property. Over the past week, several council members have expressed concern for their safety, saying their children now worry when they leave for work to attend city business.

Judge Shane Vannatta refused to lower the $100,000 bond, saying the court was disturbed by the nature of the allegations.

Brandon Bryant
Brandon Bryant
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Bryant asked to be transferred to veterans court and to be released to the care of his mother. Those requests were denied, at least until his next court date, which is set for Feb. 20.

In mid-January, Bryant addressed the City Council’s Committee of the Whole with what appeared to be a sword. He placed the weapon on the table and referred to it during comment.

A month earlier, he narrated a disturbing video on YouTube, where he told developers and the City Council to “step aside and put their tails between their legs and run.” He vowed to seek vengeance “over the next year.”

“I will dedicate myself to hunting you out and exterminating you,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where I see you. It doesn’t matter at all. I will be eliminating this wretched f*****g filth from the human soul. All you deserve to be eliminated and I’ll do it. That is my promise. You will submit and you will die.”

The Missoula Police Department issued Bryant a written notice of trespass, excluding him from attending public meetings held by the City Council.

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