Vernon Man Accused Of Courthouse Threats, Sit-Down Strike: Warrant

VERNON, CT — A local man was arrested twice recently by state and Vernon police, according to arrests reports and a warrant.

State police said a warrant was served on Gary Lee, 47, of Vernon on Saturday, charging him with disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment.

According to the warrant, at 2:03 p.m. on Aug. 10, Lee entered the Tolland County Civil Court building on Brooklyn Street in Vernon and began "harassing" staff members. A diatribe included telling a state marshal to "watch his back," because he was "coming for him," according to the warrant. He said he "works with staff" at the criminal courthouse up the road and knows how "to get things done," according to a warrant.

Lee also threatened a female staff member with "naked pictures," according to the warrant.

Lee also said he owned the court building and could "do what he wants."

Two days earlier, Lee was arrested in Vernon in connection with an eviction notice signed by a judge, police said. Vernon police accompanied a state marshal to a Mountain Street residence to remove Lee, who was refusing to budge from his room, according to an arrest report.

Police had to force their way into the room to remove Lee, according to an arrest report. He was subsequently charged with interfering with police and first-degree criminal trespass.