Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Gun-Toting Occupy Wall Street Protester Jailed After Setting OWS Record For Highest Bail
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 22, 2011
Modified Dec 22, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 22, 2011
Modified Dec 22, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The driver of a U-Haul truck that was impounded by the NYPD during a chaotic Occupy Wall Street protest last month has been jailed again. After Joshua Fellows's arrest on November 17th, police found an unlicensed .45-caliber handgun and 32 rounds of ammunition in the truck. Then Fellows, originally from Ohio, won the dubious distinction of being the protester with the highest single bail of anybody arrested in connection with New York's Occupy Wall Street protests. The movement agreed to pay his $25,000 bail, but now he's back behind bars, because it seems the gun violated of an order of protection taken out by his ex-wife.
Fellows, 32, was jailed immediately following an arraignment yesterday, when prosecutors told the judge he was in violation of a 2010 order of protection issued out Youngstown. The order of protection reportedly bars him from any contact with his ex-wife, and also from possessing guns. Police sources tell the Post they stopped the rental van, which was full of military-style tents, because Fellows was driving recklessly. But he was charged for disorderly conduct, and it wasn't until later that they found the gun wedged between the seats.
The gun, prosecutors say, was purchased in North Carolina, where Fellows had joined demonstrators at an Occupy Asheville protest. According to the Post, Fellows told officials that the .45-caliber weapon "was given to him because it went with his look." His bail was increased to $35,000, and he was taken into custody yesterday after pleading not guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 and 1/2 years prison.
After his initial arrest, Fellows's lawyer, Gideon Oliver, conceded that Fellows was driving without a license, but told the Atlantic, "I think there are serious questions about the stop. The police are supposed to have at least reasonable cause to suspect that criminal activity was afoot."
Tagged
gun possession
joshua fellows
occupy wall street
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani launches emergency grants for home-based childcare providers
The micro-grants will range from $1,000-$10,000.
By
Karen Yi
Published Aug 7, 2026 at 12:01 p.m. ET
Advertising revenue is boon for MTA, but some subway riders lament ‘ad creep’
Even turnstiles are now wrapped with ads.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Stephen Nessen
News
Advertising revenue is boon for MTA, but some subway riders lament ‘ad creep’
Even turnstiles are now wrapped with ads.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Stephen Nessen
What to know about 'rabbit fever,' ticks and cases in New York state
By
Catalina Gonella
Yes, affordability is still the key issue for NJ voters ahead of fall midterms
By
Mike Hayes
Early Addition: Phil Murphy's expensive gubernatorial portrait better be good
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .