Oostburg man accused of making terrorist threat on social media: 'It did provoke a disturbance'

OOSTBURG -- An Oostburg man accused of making threats of terrorism to local schools went before a judge in Sheboygan County on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 6.

Aaron Mauer

22-year-old Aaron Mauer is charged with making a terrorist threat and disorderly conduct for a Snapchat story picture prosecutors say he posted for Halloween.

"He had a friend take a picture of him in dressed in a quote-unquote costume," said Brock Peters, Sheboygan County Sheriff's Deputy.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office is not yet releasing the picture which allegedly shows Mauer dressed in a mask and holding an AR-15 with the caption, "Coming to a school near you." Investigators say they later found six guns inside Mauer's home.

"It was Halloween Day. He was in a Halloween costume, and posted a picture of himself in his costume," said Barbara Kirchner, Mauer's defense attorney. "He told me he put it on his story as a joke; because of his dark humor."

Deputies say Mauer's friend reported the post.

"He wasn't sure if Aaron would be acting on this due to his recent deployment across seas," Peters said.

The defense said Mauer recently returned home from serving overseas with the Wisconsin National Guard.

"During his time with the Wisconsin accrued and earned numerous awards and accommodations," Kirchner said.

Aaron Mauer

The judge ultimately decided the criminal case will move forward.

"It did provoke a disturbance," said Judge Rebecca Persick.

Mauer's bond was lowered from $10,000 to $5,000. One of the conditions of his bond is that he have no guns in his home.

FOX6 News reached out to Oostburg schools. Superintendent Kevin Bruggink declined an on-camera interview, but offered the following statement: