A judge has denied a request for reduced bond made by a Harrisville man who is being held in the county prison while awaiting trial on charges involving firearms, assaults, threats and burglary.

Ryan A. Williams, 44, who is being held in lieu of bonds totaling $600,000 in two cases, filed a motion for a bond reduction through his attorney, Max Roesch.

Roesch told Common Pleas Judge Kelley Streib on Tuesday, May 30, that Williams has been incarcerated since mid-December and is experiencing severe paranoia and anxiety in part because he can’t work and is under financial stress.

He said Williams’ wife and family are concerned about him.

Since he has been in jail, Williams has received a recommendation for outpatient counseling for mental health issues and drug and alcohol use, Roesch said.

He argued that releasing Williams from custody and placing him on pretrial supervision would be sufficient for community protection.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia McLean said she opposed any reduction in bond, and Williams’ counseling recommendation is for substance abuse.

She argued that Williams’ criminal history dates to 1996, and some of those crimes involved violence.

“His history is that of violence,” McLean said.

Due to that history, he could face a mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison if he is convicted of the pending charges, she said.

“He has very little to lose if he gets out,” McLean said. “He needs to be where he is, and the community needs to be protected.”

Streib said she was concerned about the mental health issues Williams is experiencing. She said those issues could endanger the community.

Mental health counseling and some drug and alcohol counseling is available to him in prison, Streib said.

She said she would grant a request for a psychological evaluation if one was made.

McLean said she would not object to that evaluation.

Streib denied the bond reduction request.

Williams’ bond is $500,000 in a Dec. 3 case in which he is facing felony charges of burglary, robbery, prohibited possession of a firearm and theft, and misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats and simple assault.

Williams and a co-defendant entered a Concord Township home through a locked door, according to a complaint filed by state police. Williams then picked up a hunting knife, threatened to cut off the homeowner’s fingers, attempted to restrain the homeowner with bed sheets and stole a shotgun, police said.

He was jailed in lieu of $100,00 bond following a Dec. 18 incident in Concord Township involving the same alleged victim. State police charged him with felony counts of aggravated assault and intimidating a witness, misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and simple assault, and summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct.

The homeowner heard gunshots outside his home, and looked outside to see Williams pointing and firing a gun toward the home, police said.

In a third case, Williams posted a $10,000 surety bond through a bail bond company after being charged Dec. 14 with a felony count of receiving stolen property filed by state police following an incident in Marion Township.