A squatter neighbor already considered a person of interest in the Dylan Rounds case has now been named a suspect in the unexplained disappearance of the 19-year-old farmer in a remote section of Utah.
According to authorities, James A. Brenner (58) is currently being held at the Weber County Jail without bail on federal firearms charges that were filed last week in connection to the investigation.
Federal prosecutors filed Wednesday’s motion for detention claiming Brenner was in contact with Rounds, and that he was a suspect in the disappearance. KJZZ-TV reported.
According to charging documents, Brenner was squatting near Rounds’ farm in a trailer and had spoken with Rounds several times. The FBI and Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said they have executed multiple search warrants at Brenner’s trailer, which led to filing last week of federal weapons charges.
Brenner cannot possess firearms because he is a felon. In connection with Rounds’ disappearance, no criminal charges have been brought against Brenner.
Brenner was held without bail in the federal detention hearing on Wednesday. Prosecutors stated that Brenner was guilty of a terroristic act. “serious risk”Because of his criminal record, which includes multiple convictions as a felon with a firearm and for malicious wounding.
The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office released a statement Thursday confirming that Brenner was a suspect in Rounds based on “the current totality of information gathered from the many interviews and searches, along with the analysis of both physical evidence and forensic data.”
Rounds, according to his family, had moved to an isolated farm near Nevada to grow grain. He lived in a tent in Lucin, a desert settlement. The family told him that he last spoke to his grandmother on May 28th.
Two days later, after not being able to reach him, his relatives went to his property and found no trace of him. His family stated that his truck and belongings still existed. Alarmed, they reported him missing.
Rounds’ only pair of boots was found by his family near his truck, according to searchers. They had a small amount of blood on them, Rounds’ family reported.
Candice Cooley, Rounds’ mother, told Fox News DigitalBrenner was an acquaintance with her son on Thursday “I’m keeping it together as best I can,”She told the outlet.
Anyone with information on Rounds is asked to call the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office at 435-734-3800.
His parents offered $100,000 for any information that would lead to his return.