GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Brandon Bentley, 27, was in court Monday. He appeared in person.
This is his first appearance since he was released from custody after being held under a $100,000 bond. He said he intends to hire his own attorney.
Bentley was arrested and charged with multiple weapons offenses after police say he brought several guns onto North Carolina A&T State University's campus on March 26th.
Mental health status, residency, and how many weapons Bentley had all went into the decision to set Bentley's bond at $100,000.
Local attorneys say, due to the bond guidelines, the bond could've been a lot lower.
Police said Bentley was violent, making threats to law enforcement, and chasing unarmed security guards on the campus.
Officers said they found several weapons including handguns, shotguns, a crossbow, a machete, hatchets, knives, and among other weapons.
They said there were also more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Bentley told WFMY News 2's Amber Lake that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"I just would like to say that I’m sorry that it may have frightened some people. It was never my intention to be there. Still to this day my only knowledge of going there was going to that parking lot to which an officer lead me. I was trying to get him to stop previously, but he did not. He stopped in the parking lot,” Bentley said.
The university said Bentley is not associated with A&T in any way.
Since Bentley has bonded out, he posted a video on social media sharing his side of the story saying he was set up and he never intended to hurt anyone.
He said he felt like he was being followed that night, and needed help from a police officer.
"I know people probably hear this all the time when it comes to the criminal system but I’m innocent. I was literally just trying to follow an officer for help but I did not get that. I got treated like a criminal. I never caught a charge my entire life. I follow the law my entire life, and I go out of my way to make sure other people are safe. It’s really disappointing to see the system is failing and anybody else who has been done like that before me deserves justice just as much as I do,” Bentley explained.
If Bentley is convicted, he will serve nearly 7 years behind bars, according to court documents.
Bentley's next court date is scheduled for August 28.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.