A Mad River Township man accused of climbing into a tree stand and refusing to come down during an overnight standoff with law enforcement has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges following his arrest.
Deputies with the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at approximately 7:01 p.m. Saturday to the area of 3978 State Route 36 West after receiving reports of a man yelling profanities at children in the area.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies initially did not locate anyone outside the residence. A short time later, 54-year-old Brett Henderson exited the home, climbed into an elevated tree stand and allegedly began yelling profanities at nearby individuals, including passing motorists.
Deputies said they repeatedly instructed Henderson to stop his disorderly behavior and warned him he could be arrested for persistent disorderly conduct if he continued. Instead, Henderson remained in the tree stand for several hours, resulting in a standoff that lasted from about 7:01 p.m. Saturday until approximately 3:40 a.m. Sunday.
Henderson then voluntarily climbed down from the tree stand and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Tri-County Regional Jail.
Henderson has since been charged with obstructing official business and inducing panic. During his arraignment Monday morning in Champaign County Municipal Court, Henderson entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
According to court records, Henderson’s bond was accepted as previously posted, and he was released from the Tri-County Regional Jail on Sunday afternoon. As a special condition of his bond, the court ordered Henderson to seek mental health treatment immediately.
The case remains under investigation, and additional court proceedings are scheduled for next week.
