CRU Co-Owner to be Released on Bail

Brant Welty, co-owner of CRU Wine and Spirits, will be released on bail after U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal ruled that he is not a danger to the community despite owning a cache of weapons and ammunition at the time of his arrest.

The terms of his release, as discussed during a hearing on Friday, include a location monitoring system and curfew that restricts Welty to his residence between the hours of 8 p.m and 6 a.m. He is prohibited from leaving the state of Massachusetts and cannot speak with any of the co-defendants in his case aside from his sister, Bridget.

Welty is expected to be released from custody this week on a $50,000 bail.

Prosecutors attempted to keep Brant Welty in custody after numerous weapons and ammunition were found in his home following his arrest in May. Welty and his sister have been up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In her decision to release Welty, Boal pointed to his steady employment history and lack of a criminal record. Although weapons were found in his residence, all were licensed and permitted and none have been linked to any crimes, she wrote.

“Other than the ownership and possession of the firearms themselves, the government presented no evidence tending to show that the defendant presents a danger to the community,” Boal wrote.

Under the terms of his release, Welty must "refrain from possessing a firearm, destructive device or other dangerous weapons."

A trial date for the Weltys has not yet been set.