ONTARIO — Bond was set at $10,000 on Thursday for a Lexington man who allegedly made threats at Avita’s Ontario and Galion hospitals Wednesday morning.
The bond was set during the Mansfield Municipal Court arraignment of Randy Dawson, 65.
Dawson is charged with aggravated menacing and inducing panic. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanors with a bench trial set for Feb. 13.
Both offenses are 1st-degree misdemeanors. Each carries a maximum of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The court also ordered electronic monitoring and no contact with Avita premises if Dawson posts bond.
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Hospital administrators initiated a soft lockdown Wednesday at both the Ontario and Galion locations and worked with local police to ensure the hospitals were secure, said Avita vice president of operations Kim Winkle.
Ontario Lt. Tony Grimwood said the Galion Police Department arrested Dawson without incident.
“He was at Ontario’s hospital, and when we arrived, the hospital had already initiated its lockdown,” Grimwood said Thursday.
“We realized he was likely en route to Galion, so they assisted us with that, took him to custody and then we transported him to the Richland County Jail.”