On Thursday morning, Ben “Parlay” Patz turned himself in in Tampa.
He appeared in federal court on Thursday afternoon at an initial hearing where terms and conditions were set on his release, his lawyer David Weisbrod told The Action Network.
The government presented a $100,000 bond that was signed by Patz and co-signed by his father. That money only has to be paid if Patz, who will return to California and live with his father, fails to appear in court when scheduled.
The court also said that, as things proceed, Patz is not allowed to gamble or use Instagram and Twitter. Weisbrod said he can use other social media, but that the court has the right to examine his use.
Patz turned in his passport and has what Weisbrod defines as “the usual travel restrictions,” which includes not being able to leave the United States.
The government has a month to formally indict Patz and in the interim his legal team can attempt to reach a settlement.
Patz has not returned messages left for him by The Action Network.
Among the threats Patz is accused of making to athletes and their families:
- To one member of the Patriots after New England beat the Rams in Super Bowl 53: "I’ll rape and murder your entire family."
- To a second member of the Patriots after Super Bowl 53: "I will brutally rape and murder your family. … I will enter your home while you sleep and sever your neck open with a dull knife."
- To one member of the Tampa Bay Rays in the summer of 2019: "Your family will be beheaded."
- To a spouse of an Atlanta Braves player in the summer of 2019: "Your husband will be beheaded. I’ll enter your home while you sleep and end both of you."
To read more on the charges against Patz, read our original report here.
