Published: July 02, 2009 09:32 pm         

Man who claimed doc ‘locked’ his brain in computer violates agreement

TERRE HAUTE — Prosecution has resumed against a Coalmont man who allegedly made threats against a Terre Haute physician, who he claimed “locked” his brain into a federal computer.

Kriss L. Rehmel, 42, is accused of sending threatening letters in 2005 to Dr. Michael Rader, who at the time was corporate physician at Pfizer, as well as an attorney. Rader is now judge in Vigo Superior Court 5.

An investigation alleged Rehmel also sent letters to several people, including then-President Bush, and Gov. Mitch Daniels, saying he had been controlled by a computer since Sept. 11, 2001.

Rehmel is a former employee of Pfizer, and had sought medical treatment from Rader. He was released from employment following a term of disability because of a back injury.

Rehmel was charged March 31, 2005 with class-D felony intimidation by threat of force in Vigo Superior Court Division 1. Special Judge P.J. Pierson of Sullivan County was appointed to oversee the case.

Since that time, Rehmel has undergone multiple mental health evaluations as well as treatment at Logansport State Hospital, court records show. He was released from treatment in 2007, and had been scheduled for a trial in the case in 2008. However, a deferred sentencing agreement was approved by the court in December 2008 which would have dropped the intimidation charge if Rehmel abided by the agreement.

Part of that agreement was to obey all laws, not to contact Rader, and not be charged with any criminal activity. On May 29, however, Rehmel was charged with intimidation, a class-A misdemeanor, in Sullivan County for allegedly leaving threatening voicemail messages on a former girlfriend’s phone. That new criminal charge violated the deferred sentencing agreement.

On June 15, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt filed a notice to resume prosecution in the 2005 case. At a hearing on July 1, Special Judge Pierson noted Rehmel had not been adequately notified of that day’s hearing because he had changed attorneys and the new information was not sent to his current attorney.

Pierson ordered that Rehmel be subpoenaed to court for an Aug. 10 hearing on the 2005 case.

Prosecutor Modesitt said Rehmel is not in police custody, has not issued any new threats to Rader, nor is he believed to be a risk to public safety.



Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.