Ryan Newell made another appearance in a Sedgwick County Courtroom on Friday.
The judge presented Newell with an additional charge, conspiracy to commit aggravated battery - a felony charge.
In the court complaint, a Wichita woman is listed as a possible conspirator. It says she helped Newell obtain weapons and put them in his vehicle.
Eyewitness News spoke with that woman. She says she knows Newell and took him to a V.A. appointment a few weeks ago. She says he wanted mental help.
That woman has not been arrested or charged with any crimes.
Because Newell's case deals with the controversial Westboro Baptist Church, he's getting a lot of support.
Facebook pages have been established, with people offering money to pay for his defense. Newell remains in jail on a $500,000 bond.
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Original Story, December 3
Army veteran Sergeant Ryan Newell has been charged in Sedgwick County court. Thursday he was charged with one count of stalking, three counts of criminal use of weapons and false impersonation. All of the charges are misdemeanors.
The judge told Newell he's not allowed to have any contact with the Phelps family or any other member of the Westboro Baptist Church. He's accused of putting the church members in fear of their safety.
The complaint also says he carried an M4 rifle, .45 caliber Glock pistol and a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol with the intent to use them. The final count says he also falsely represented himself as a law enforcement officer.
Newell is a double amputee who was wounded in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device.
Newell was arrested by a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s detective who was in Mulvane to observe a protest by Westboro Baptist Church members at Mulvane high school Tuesday. Westboro is known for protesting at soldier funerals.
Although it's been reported Newell had weapons, the sheriff's department says it cannot confirm that.
Newell is being held on a $500,000 bond. In court two attorneys showed up to represent him. Newell also told the judge there were several other's interested in representing him. The judge said well the more the merrier. Newell is scheduled to be back in court December 16th. Since they are misdemeanor charges he faces a bench trial.
Newell's family tells Eyewitness News it is stunned, but did not want to say anything else.
