Local comedian Anthony Krayenhagen has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from alleged death threats made against Stanislaus County Supervisor Channce Condit earlier this month.
Prosecutors and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office allege that during a phone call on November 13, Krayenhagen told Condit he was “greenlit” and stated it was “on-site when I see you and your friends.” Krayenhagen was arrested on November 20. Initially charged with making a threat to cause death or bodily harm to a public official, additional charges have since been filed for making threats unrelated to public office and harassment via electronic devices.
The events leading up to the arrest involve disputes among those involved, originating from an incident at one of Krayenhagen’s shows in September. The altercation began at Che’root Cigar Lounge in downtown Modesto on September 9, where Condit attended as an audience member seated near Motecuzoma Sanchez, founder of Stockton-based news site 209 Times.
Multiple accounts of what transpired that night differ, and The Bee has not independently confirmed any version. Condit maintains he did not know Krayenhagen before the alleged threats and described himself as an “innocent bystander.” He said, “I didn’t ask for any of this. This certainly hasn’t helped me politically in any way,” adding, “This has only cast a further negative light through controversy onto me, and I’m just now worried about living my life and continuing to raise my kids.”
After the event, video snippets were published online identifying Condit. He believes this led Krayenhagen to think he was involved in the ongoing dispute between Krayenhagen and Sanchez. In the following weeks, both parties exchanged critical posts online.
In October, tensions appeared to subside until November 12 when Krayenhagen contacted Condit via social media. The next day during a phone call—unrecorded according to Condit—the alleged threats were made. Afterward, Condit reported the incident directly to Sheriff Jeff Dirkse. The Special Investigations Unit took over the case after obtaining an arrest warrant.
Krayenhagen was detained during a traffic stop in Ceres nearly a week later. His bail is set at $750,000 with an administrative hold requiring verification of legitimate income before release; he remains jailed as of Wednesday afternoon.
At arraignment, Judge Maria Ramos Ratliff upheld both bail conditions and issued a criminal restraining order preventing Krayenhagen from approaching Condit or his places of residence or work. Defense attorney Preston Haselton-Parke challenged these restrictions on First Amendment grounds because Tenth Street Place houses several government offices including those used for local political engagement.
Prosecutor Carillo defended the restraining order as standard practice in cases involving death threats: “It was a ‘good faith measure’ regardless of Condit’s position.” Judge Ramos Ratliff maintained that since it is only a physical restraining order, Krayenhagen could still communicate with officials by phone or email if necessary.
Arguments regarding bail affordability were also rejected by Judge Ramos Ratliff due to concerns for public safety but left open the possibility for future hearings on that issue.
On social media, Krayenhagen posted information about fundraising efforts for private legal representation.
His next court appearance is scheduled for December 1 at Stanislaus County Superior Courthouse.
