MONROE — A new arrest warrant has been issued for Derek Hammer, the boyfriend of a missing Monticello woman, who recently posted bail to get out of jail on felony drug charges unrelated to her October, 2021 disappearance.

The warrant for Hammer’s arrest on fresh bail-jumping charges stems from a weekend incident in Shannon where Hammer allegedly threatened a neighbor. Hammer was living in Shannon with his mother, Denise, while on bail. At some point over the weekend, he is alleged to have threatened a man who has been challenging officials in Shannon to investigate the Hammer case; and what the neighbor  perceives as a conflict of interest, given that his mother is clerk of the small Carroll County village.

“(Hammer) knocked right on the front door,” said Crystal Lee Preston. “He had a drug-crazed look in his eyes and wore a black trench coat…”

Crystal’s husband, Ken Preston, reportedly answered the door.

“He told Ken to leave his mom alone or he will kill him,” she said.

The couple contacted police, who took their statement and apparently forwarded it to Green County prosecutors, culminating in the issuance of a new arrest warrant early Monday for violating terms of his bail. 

The missing woman, 37-year-old Melissa Trumpy, was reportedly traveling to Hammer’s house in Shannon in 2021 when she disappeared and he is thought to be among the last people to see her alive.

“Mr. Hammer has been arrested by Illinois Authorities and is in their custody on charges in Carroll County, as well as Green County …” said District Attorney Craig Nolen. “Mr. Hammer will be brought before Carroll County Court for both his pending charge in their jurisdiction, as well as for extradition back to Wisconsin.”

Nolen added that he is not sure when Hammer will be returned to Green County and that he remains innocent of the charges until he is convicted of them in court.

As he did in his other cases, Hammer filed a motion for a substitution of judges, although Nolen said a date for that issue to be argued has not been set. Hammer’s Wisconsin cases are now being heard by Rock County Judge Ashley Morse. 

Before a recent bond reduction, Hammer had been in Green County Jail for nearly two years, as the search for Trumpy wore on. But Morse, who is now overseeing the case, lowered his bond and Hammer was released last month to Stephenson County deputies — before he again posted bond there.

Hammer is accused of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of THC with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, and possession of a firearm as a felon. Trumpy also has been charged with drug crimes related to her time with Hammer in Monticello. 

Hammer was convicted of numerous felonies, including an explosives related charge, and served jail time for those in Nevada before returning to state line region.