O'Reilly
Rogers
A Troy man is being held by the Madison County Sheriff's Department on $150,000 bond for allegedly threatening to kill television personality Bill O'Reilly and his family.
Madison County State's Attorney Tom Gibbons did not confirm the victim was the Fox News personality during a telephone interview Friday.
"Out of respect for the victim, we can't discuss the victim's identity," Gibbons said. "We're just not going to confirm."
But a court document filed in the case against the alleged perpetrator shows that O'Reilly was a target.
In the document, Gibbons requested additional conditions be placed on the defendant's bail bond.
James Rogers, 62, was charged Thursday with the felony of harassment by telephone for allegedly making threats on Jan. 26. The Sheriff's Department heard about the threats on Jan. 31, contacted Rogers at his home and took him into custody without incident, a news release states. He is in custody at the Madison County Jail.
Rogers did not speak with "the victim," according to the Sheriff's office, but left a message threatening to kill O'Reilly and his family.
At the time of the alleged offense involving O'Reilly, the Sheriff's Department was investigating another report of a threat made by Rogers to U.S. Congressman John Shimkus.
"There's still background investigation going on about the defendant," Gibbons said. "The threats were very serious, and were certainly something that warranted great concern."
Later on Thursday, Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli ordered additional bail bond conditions for Rogers, stating he is not to harass, intimidate or interfere with the personal liberty of O'Reilly or his family. Rogers was also ordered to remain at least 500 feet away from O'Reilly and his family.
Tognarelli also ordered Rogers to abide by the same conditions with respect to Shimkus.
Rogers was ordered to be evaluated for fitness to stand trial by Belleville psychologist Dr. Daniel Cuneo.
O'Reilly and Fox News have been contacted for comment.