Man on watch list leaves Charlotte jail

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Police in Charlotte, N.C., sought to keep an activist on a terrorist watch list in jail after he was arrested for a traffic violation, court documents said.

James Ian Tyson, 27, a Charlotte resident, was arrested Sunday morning for driving on a revoked license near a building used by protesters at the Democratic National Convention, the Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday.

Derek Fletcher, Tyson's lawyer, said at a hearing Monday police were eager to keep Tyson jailed through the convention, and the $10,000 cash bond for a traffic offense was excessive. A Charlotte-Mecklenberg police officer recommended Tyson not be freed on pre-trial release, a court document said.

"Known activist and protester who is currently on terrorist watch list. Request he be held due to DNC being a National Special Security Event," the police officer wrote in a statement to the court.

Chief District Judge Lisa Bell reduced the bond to $2,500. Tyson was released Monday evening, the newspaper said.