Troy man sentenced for threatening Bill O'Reilly and Congressman Shimkus

A Troy man who threatened to kill Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly has been sentenced to a year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

James Rogers, 62, was charged Feb. 2, with felony harassment by telephone for allegedly making threats on Jan. 26.

Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli on Dec. 3 ordered Rogers to remain 500 feet away from Fox News Headquarters at all times. Rogers was also ordered not to enter the premises of Fox News.

Rogers was ordered to undergo a psychological or mental health evaluation from a provider approved by his probation officer.

“Defendant shall immediately undergo and successfully complete all treatment as recommended by the evaluation,” the order stated.

According to court documents, Rogers was an aviation support mechanic in the U.S. Navy, who received an honorable discharge in January 1971. He had achieved the rank of E-3.

Rogers was in custody of the Madison County jail for 23 days after being arrested Jan. 31.

The Sheriff’s Department heard about the threats Jan. 31, contacted Rogers at his home and took him into custody without incident.

Rogers did not speak with “the victim” but left a message threatening to kill O’Reilly and his family, according to the Sheriff’s office.

At the time of the offense involving O'Reilly, the Sheriff's Department was investigating another report of a threat made by Rogers to U.S. Congressman John Shimkus.

"Defendant shall not harass, intimidate or interfere with the personal liberty of William O'Reilly or Representative John Shimkus or their respecting families," Tognarelli's order states.

Rogers' trial was originally scheduled for March 5 but was continued seven times until he received his sentence Dec. 4. Court documents with details of the sentence were filed Dec. 12.

O’Reilly did not return a message left for him.