Milwaukee County facing lack of GPS tracking devices

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee County is experiencing a lack of GPS monitors. The electronic tracking devices allow authorities to keep tabs on people facing criminal charges. CBS 58 watched the issue play out in court Friday, June 11. 

Milwaukee County authorities have 24 hours to find a GPS monitor for 28-year-old Jamal Jury, or he only has to pay $1,000 cash bail and authorities will not be able to track his whereabouts.

"Some of the previous text messages that have come to light since that appear that Mr. Jury may have been in front of our property, or on state street, has a lot people very concerned as well," said Jeff Mueller, director of North American Security at Molson Coors.

Jury, a former Molson Coors employee, is accused of making terrorist threats against his former employer. He was suspended from the brewery in February 2020 after making threats to "shoot up" Molson Coors during a workplace argument. Later that day, a different employee - Anthony Ferrill - shot and killed five co-workers. Authorities say Jury had no connection to the mass shooting.

On June 2, Jury was fired, and accused of making similar shooting threats.

"This isn't just something that people may have a thought of in their heads and be afraid of; this is something that has happened at Molson Coors," said ADA Kelly O'Neill of the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

The state asked the judge to set bail and outfit Jury with a 24-7 GPS tracking device. They argued this would incentivize Jury to return to court.

His attorney, Brett Copeland, objected to both conditions.

Due to a lack of GPS monitors, the judge said Jury must get an electronic tracking device within 24 hour - or pay cash bail.

The judge did note Jury was not a flight risk and had no prior criminal record. He also said Jury had no-contact, and other, non-monetary court orders to follow.

"One of the main purposes of the bail statute is setting a bond appropriate to assure that people will come to court, and Mr. Jury has demonstrated that today," said Copeland.

Jury will also be under a 24-hour curfew. This means he can only go to approved places.

Jury returns to court for a preliminary hearing on June 23.