Man Charged With Stealing Train Released; Must Receive Mental Health Care

A Wright man charged in federal court with stealing a train earlier this month was released Monday to the custody of his mother who will make sure he receives a mental health evaluation and care.

Derek Skyler Brux, 22, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Shickich for his preliminary and detention hearings.

Brux, 22, has been in custody since his arrest Oct. 9 for allegedly stealing two Burlington Northern Santa Fe locomotives at the North Rochelle Antelope Mine, driving them south along the main line at speeds averaging 60 mph before being diverted into another mine and crashing them into a Union Pacific train.

He is charged with “violence against railroad carriers and mass transportation systems on land, on water, or through the air.”  If convicted, he faces up to 20 years behind bars and a $250,000 fine.

Monday, Brux, through his federal public defender David Weiss, waived his preliminary hearing.

Shickich said a pretrial report indicated Brux should remain in custody to receive a mental health evaluation and treatment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Shugart said his mother, who was in court, had agreed to get him treatment.

Weiss told the court Brux has had a history of bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but no history of encounters with law enforcement. "He does not have a defiant personality."

The federal system is notoriously slow in evaluating and providing such care, and his mother would insist that he follow treatment, Weiss added.

Shickich agreed to have Brux released into the custody of his family, with strict requirements including appear for all hearings, report to probation, live at mother's residence, have no firearms in the home, have no contact with victims, complete methal health evaluation and comply with treatment, and observe curfew.

His mother agreed to report any suspected violations of these terms to her son's probation officer.