The Fayette man charged with threatening school personnel has been released from jail on his own recognizance. Cordell Robert Trimble, 64, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Howard County on Tuesday, October 20, and was bound over to Circuit Court before being released.

Trimble faces two counts of first-degree harassment, both Class E felonies, for allegedly threatening members of the Fayette public school. He resides on Spring Street, and his yard borders school property just beyond the right field fence of the softball diamond. He has disputed this property line several times in recent years, even going so far as to sue the district in small claims court last November after he was banned from school property for allegedly swearing at staff and students. The court in February ruled in favor of the district.

Trimble has allegedly harassed school district officials and students since at least June 2024. On August 24, a Fayette police officer witnessed him attempting to stop personnel from mowing. Early on September 8, Trimble allegedly threatened to kill another member of the school district at the bus barn. He reportedly stood across from the bus barn cussing, being upset about the lights and noise and about district personnel staying out of his yard, according to a probable cause statement.

Trimble is also accused of removing a post placed on school property to construct a fence and placing sticks in the path of the lawnmower.

Trimble pleaded not guilty during an initial arraignment on September 9 and remained in jail on $5,000 cash-only bond until last week. A condition of his release states that he is not allowed on school property and is to have no contact with the alleged victims.

He is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Scott Hayes on December 9 in Howard County. Trimble is represented by public defender Aaron Rowley.