AUSTIN, TX – Brian Johnson, known as the “Liver King,” has been released from a Texas county jail after posting a $20,000 bail. This follows his arrest for allegedly making “terroristic threats” against podcaster Joe Rogan. Johnson now faces a restraining order and must undergo a mental health evaluation within the next week.
Immediate Impact
Travis County Court records, accessed by Rolling Stone, confirm Johnson’s release on June 25. The court has mandated that he maintain a distance of at least 200 yards from Rogan and his family. Additionally, Johnson is required to complete a mental evaluation by next Wednesday.
“The goal was to come on Monday to pick a fight, a loving fight… I was hoping that the jail thing and all that stuff would be the beautiful gifts that they were. They were really good,” Johnson said in a video from an empty field in the city.
Key Details Emerge
Johnson addressed his release in a video shared on Thursday afternoon, accompanied by a pair of dogs. He hinted at leaving Austin sooner than anticipated, expressing his affection for Texas. “I love this state of Texas,” he stated. In an Instagram story, he remarked on needing to “clean the jail off of me.”
The 47-year-old had previously challenged Rogan to a fight in a series of Instagram videos, admitting his lack of training in Jiu-jitsu and daring Rogan, a black belt, to dismantle him under any conditions.
Threats and Arrest
The Austin Police Department confirmed that it was alerted to Johnson’s threats against Rogan. “Detectives reviewed the posts and observed that Johnson was traveling to Austin while continuing to make threatening statements,” APD informed Rolling Stone. Consequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Johnson on a charge of Terroristic Threat.
“Detectives contacted Mr. Rogan, who stated he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening,” APD told Rolling Stone.
Background Context
Johnson was apprehended at the Four Seasons Austin on Tuesday, facing a Class B Misdemeanor charge of Terroristic Threat Causing Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury (SBI). This development builds on a series of social media posts where Johnson publicly antagonized Rogan.
What Comes Next
As Johnson navigates the legal consequences of his actions, the focus will shift to his upcoming mental health evaluation and adherence to the restraining order. The timing is particularly significant as it highlights the broader issue of online threats translating into real-world legal implications.
Expert Analysis
Legal experts suggest that Johnson’s case underscores the importance of monitoring online behavior and its potential to escalate into criminal activity. “This case is a reminder of the real-world consequences of online threats,” commented a legal analyst familiar with similar cases.
Regional Implications
The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibility of public figures and influencers in managing their online presence. It also raises questions about the measures law enforcement can take to address threats made through digital platforms.
As the situation unfolds, the public and legal community will be watching closely to see how this case influences future handling of similar incidents.
