Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The 52-year-old Hutchinson man who held police at bay for nearly nine hours on the Fourth of July could see the case against him go to federal court.

Authorities say additional weapons and several thousand rounds of ammunition were found in two safes that Thomas Fee was renting for storage.

An emergency bond hearing in the case was held Thursday afternoon because of concern over the safety of the community.

Judge Joe McCarville agreed to raise the bond to a half million dollars because of the series of incidents involving Fee and use of guns over the years, his mental health issues and the fact the he refused to sign probation papers after being sentenced for DUI.

Fee is charged in District Court with criminal possession of a firearm, criminal discharge of a firearm and interference with law enforcement for last week’s incident..

He is scheduled to appear in District Court on the state charges on July 23 and the case may go to federal court.