Lonnie Painter appears in federal court

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. --- The man whose home and business were searched by the ATF appeared in federal court Thursday.

Lonnie Painter has been charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

Two raids happened at Painters home and business in Osceola on Tuesday. He was taken into custody on federal charges of a felon in possession of a firearm.

Painter appeared in court Thursday with his left arm wrapped. Police say he tried to commit suicide Wednesday night at the St. Joseph County Jail.

Judge Gotsch decided to keep Painter in custody because he feels that with his violent past and access to $1 million in assets, Painter is a flight risk.

Some of Painters violent past goes back to the 80s.

In 1982, he was convicted of murder while a soldier at Fort Campbell.

In 1986, he was charged with assault and in 1993 he was charged with attempted murder.

Painter wants to represent himself during his case but Judge Gotsch appointed attorney Rudy Monterrosa to assist. 

Monterrosa argued Painter should be released because he is a veteran and owns a small business in St. Joseph County.

The judge denied bond.

"I believe the judge was fair, there were a lot of factors he was basing on especially when you are in federal court its a very formal process. There are a lot of factors you have to take into the picture, but I believe he was fair. It was not the outcome we wanted but it was fair," Monterrosa said.

Painter is expected to be back in court next month.

We're told he could be linked to the human remains of a woman that were found in Osceola about a week ago.

Investigators are still working on positively identifying those remains.