Man facing charges from pro-Trump rally in Berkeley put in jail

Trump supporter, Kyle Chapman, left, clashes with protesters at a "Patriots Day" free speech rally on April 15, 2017 in Berkeley, California. More than a dozen people were arrested after fistfights broke out at a park where supporters and opponents of President Trump had gathered. less Trump supporter, Kyle Chapman, left, clashes with protesters at a "Patriots Day" free speech rally on April 15, 2017 in Berkeley, California. More than a dozen people were arrested after fistfights broke out at ... more Photo: Elijah Nouvelage, Getty Images Photo: Elijah Nouvelage, Getty Images Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Man facing charges from pro-Trump rally in Berkeley put in jail 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

A convicted felon charged with possession of a leaded stick allegedly used to hit counterprotesters during a pro-President Trump event in Berkeley this year was ordered jailed Friday and told to stay away from the site of a far-right rally planned in the East Bay city Sunday.

Kyle “Based Stickman” Chapman, a 41-year-old Daly City man, could face up to eight years in state prison if convicted of the felony charge of possessing a lead pipe, according to officials.

The possibility of a lengthy sentence stems from his previous criminal history, including a 1993 felony robbery conviction in Texas and a 2001 grand theft conviction in San Diego County, court officials said.

Chapman declined to comment Friday to a reporter as he entered Alameda County Superior Court. He sat in court ahead of his hearing commenting to those seated next to him on the violence that broke out this month at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Va., saying most people pegged as neo-Nazis and white supremacists were trying to “preserve their heritage.”

During his arraignment, Chapman was remanded to jail by Judge Mark A. McCannon. The judge set bail at $135,000 and ordered Chapman to stay 300 yards away from Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, the site of his arrest in March and a Sunday “No to Marxism” rally that had been planned by a far-right group.

“When I’m talking to you, I want you to pay attention,” McCannon said, pausing midsentence while Chapman looked down at a document. “You’re ordered to have no weapons of any kind.”

Chapman was led away with his hands behind his back after the hearing.

John Noonan, Chapman’s attorney, said his client plans to plead not guilty. He said he hasn’t formed an opinion on whether the current charges were appropriate.

“I have no idea,” Noonan said outside the courtroom. “Till we get discovery, I won’t know anything.”

Chapman announced to his social media followers Thursday night that he would be in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland on Friday for an arraignment, posting on Twitter and Facebook, “Regardless, I will be attending the SF and Berkeley rallies. Never surrender.” The San Francisco rally, planned for Saturday at Crissy Field, was called off later in the day.

It was not clear if the judge or prosecutors saw Chapman’s online posts before Friday’s hearing.

Chapman ended his last post by writing “DEUS VULT!” — an ancient Latin battle cry used by European Christians in the First Crusade, one of a series of holy wars during the Middle Ages. The expression means “God wills it.”

In a previous social media post, Chapman denied taking a leaded stick to the pro-Trump event in Berkeley on March 4, calling the charge “trumped up bogus.”

He was arrested with 10 other people when violence broke out between Trump supporters and counterprotesters at the civic center park. He has gained a following of white nationalist supporters since his arrest.

Officer Darrin Rafferty of the Berkeley Police Department said in a probable cause declaration that police seized a large stick from Chapman with two American flags on it that “had been fashioned and carried as a weapon.” The declaration also states that Chapman was recorded on video shooting what appeared to be pepper spray at counterprotesters while wearing a black baseball helmet and goggles, and taking a swing with a long piece of lumber at a woman.

Berkeley officials have denied a permit for the far-right demonstration against Marxism on Sunday, and on Friday the organizer of that rally urged supporters not to attend because of safety concerns.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno