Is Daniel Larson in Jail? The TikTok Star’s Legal Troubles Examined

Posted: May 2, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

Daniel Larson, a TikTok star who gained a cult following for his eccentric videos and claims of being a celebrity singer-songwriter, has been a polarizing figure on social media since 2020. Known for his chaotic live streams and controversial behavior, Larson’s life has taken a turbulent turn with multiple run-ins with the law, leading fans to ask: Is Daniel Larson in jail? As of May 2, 2025, yes, Daniel Larson is in jail, currently detained at the Boulder County Jail in Colorado, facing charges of felony menacing, harassment, and resisting arrest following an incident on April 15, 2025. Let’s delve into Larson’s rise to fame, his legal troubles, and the circumstances that have kept him behind bars.

Who Is Daniel Larson? From TikTok Fame to Controversy

Daniel Larson, born on November 17, 1998, in Colorado, first gained attention on TikTok in 2020 under the handle @daniellarsonfans, amassing over 200,000 followers by 2022. His videos, often featuring him singing original songs, ranting about his life, or claiming connections to celebrities like Taylor Swift, went viral for their unpredictable nature. Larson portrayed himself as a struggling artist with big dreams, frequently mentioning his supposed hit song “Mountain Dew” and aspirations to become a famous musician. However, his content also revealed a troubled side—Larson has been open about his struggles with homelessness, mental health issues, and a diagnosis of autism, which have shaped both his online persona and real-life challenges.

Larson’s fame took a darker turn as his behavior became increasingly erratic. He faced accusations of scamming fans by soliciting donations for fake music projects, and his live streams often included threats, profanity, and bizarre claims, such as alleging he was running for president or being targeted by the FBI. By 2023, he had been banned from TikTok multiple times, leading him to create new accounts like @daniellarsonoffical and @daniellarsonbackup, where he continued to post content that oscillated between comedic and concerning. The question—Is Daniel Larson in jail?—began to surface as his legal troubles mounted, reflecting a pattern of instability that has defined his public life.

Daniel Larson’s Legal Troubles: A Timeline of Incidents

Larson’s journey from TikTok star to jail inmate has been marked by several legal incidents, each escalating in severity. While he has had minor brushes with the law since 2021, his more serious charges in 2024 and 2025 have kept him in the headlines. Let’s break down the key events that have led to the question: Is Daniel Larson in jail as of May 2025?

2021-2022: Early Run-Ins and Public Incidents

Larson’s first notable legal trouble came in May 2021, when he was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, for trespassing at a local business after refusing to leave during a live stream. He had been warned multiple times by store management but continued to film, prompting police intervention. Larson was detained briefly, charged with misdemeanor trespassing, and released the same day after paying a $200 fine. The incident, while minor, set a precedent for his disregard for authority, a trait that would resurface in later encounters.

In 2022, Larson faced another arrest in Denver, Colorado, for disorderly conduct after a public outburst at a McDonald’s on Colfax Avenue. On July 14, 2022, he was filmed yelling at staff and customers, throwing a chair, and refusing to leave, leading to his arrest. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, spending three days in Denver County Jail before being released on a $500 bond. These early incidents, while not resulting in lengthy jail time, raised concerns among his followers about his mental health and stability, with some on Reddit speculating that Larson needed help rather than punishment, though such sentiments remain inconclusive.

2023: The Bomb Threat Incident

Larson’s legal troubles escalated in May 2023, when he was arrested in Boulder, Colorado, for making a bomb threat against a local business. On May 10, 2023, during a TikTok live stream, Larson called a Target store on 28th Street, claiming, “I’ve planted a bomb in your store, and it’s going off in 30 minutes,” a statement he later said was a “joke.” The store was evacuated, and the Boulder Police Department traced the call to Larson, arresting him the same day. He was charged with felony making a bomb threat, a Class 5 felony in Colorado, which carries a potential sentence of up to three years.

Larson spent 45 days in Boulder County Jail before being released on a $10,000 bond on June 24, 2023. His case went to trial in November 2023, where he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, receiving a sentence of one year of probation and 100 hours of community service. The bomb threat incident marked a turning point, with many fans distancing themselves, while others on X expressed sympathy, posting, “Daniel needs mental health support, not jail,” reflecting a sentiment that remains inconclusive without professional evaluation.

2024: Harassment and Stalking Charges

In 2024, Larson faced more serious charges that further complicated his legal standing. On March 5, 2024, he was arrested in Fort Collins, Colorado, for felony harassment and stalking after a series of threatening messages sent to a former friend, Sarah Thompson, a 22-year-old college student. Thompson had befriended Larson online in 2022 but cut contact after his behavior became erratic, including sending her over 50 messages in a single day, some of which included threats like, “I’ll find you and make you regret this.” She reported the messages to the Fort Collins Police Department, who arrested Larson at a local homeless shelter where he had been staying.

Larson was charged with felony harassment, felony stalking, and violating a protection order Thompson had obtained in February 2024. He was held at the Larimer County Jail for 60 days, from March 5 to May 4, 2024, before being released on a $15,000 bond. His case is still pending, with a trial scheduled for August 2025, where he faces up to five years in prison if convicted. This incident added to the growing list of legal issues, raising the question—Is Daniel Larson in jail again?—as his behavior continued to spiral.

April 2025: The Latest Arrest

Larson’s most recent legal trouble came on April 15, 2025, when he was arrested in Boulder, Colorado, following a violent altercation at a public park. According to the Boulder Police Department, Larson approached a group of teenagers at Eben G. Fine Park, demanding they watch his TikTok live stream. When they refused, Larson became aggressive, brandishing a pocketknife and threatening to “cut them up,” as reported in the police affidavit. The teens, aged 15 to 17, fled and called 911, leading to Larson’s arrest a few blocks away after a brief chase.

Larson was charged with felony menacing (a Class 5 felony), felony harassment, and misdemeanor resisting arrest, as he allegedly struggled with officers during the arrest, shouting, “You can’t take me, I’m famous!” He was booked into Boulder County Jail, where he has been held without bond since April 15, 2025, due to his history of failing to appear in court and the severity of the charges. A preliminary hearing on April 28, 2025, upheld the charges, and his next court date is set for June 10, 2025, where prosecutors will decide whether to pursue a trial or offer a plea deal. Is Daniel Larson in jail as of May 2, 2025? Yes, he remains detained, facing a potential sentence of up to six years if convicted on all counts.

Life in Boulder County Jail: Conditions and Challenges

While the question—Is Daniel Larson in jail?—is answered by his current detention, the conditions of his confinement at Boulder County Jail have raised concerns among his family and supporters. The jail, with a capacity of 287 inmates, housed 261 as of May 2025, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Larson, now 26, is held in a general population unit, where he has reportedly struggled with the environment due to his mental health challenges and autism diagnosis.

Larson’s mother, Karen Larson, told a local news outlet on April 20, 2025, that her son has faced bullying from other inmates, who mock his TikTok fame and erratic behavior. “He’s not doing well—he needs his medication, and the jail isn’t equipped to handle his needs,” she said, noting that Larson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, conditions that require consistent treatment. The jail provides mental health services, but a 2024 report by the Colorado Health Institute found that only 60% of inmates in county jails receive adequate mental health care, highlighting systemic gaps that may affect Larson’s well-being.

Larson spends much of his time in his cell, avoiding communal areas to minimize conflict, according to his mother. He has access to a tablet for limited communication but has not posted on social media since his arrest, a stark contrast to his once-frequent live streams. The question—Is Daniel Larson in jail under conditions that exacerbate his mental health issues?—is a pressing concern for his family, who are advocating for his transfer to a facility with better mental health support.

The Broader Context: Mental Health and Social Media Fame

Daniel Larson’s case highlights the intersection of mental health, social media fame, and the criminal justice system. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 37% of inmates in U.S. jails have a diagnosed mental illness, yet only one in three receives treatment, a statistic that underscores the challenges Larson faces in detention. His autism and mental health diagnoses make him particularly vulnerable to the stressors of jail, where sensory overload and social conflicts can exacerbate his conditions.

Larson’s rise to fame on TikTok also complicates his situation. Social media platforms have amplified his behavior, both positive and negative, creating a cult following that includes trolls who egg him on and supporters who genuinely care about his well-being. The pressure of maintaining an online persona, coupled with his mental health struggles, may have contributed to his erratic actions, such as the bomb threat and recent menacing incident. Is Daniel Larson in jail because of a system ill-equipped to handle his needs, or is his behavior solely to blame? The answer likely lies in a combination of both, highlighting the need for better mental health interventions in the justice system.

Public sentiment on platforms like X reflects this complexity, with some users posting, “Daniel Larson needs help, not jail,” while others argue, “He’s a danger to others—he belongs behind bars,” sentiments that remain inconclusive without a full legal resolution. Larson’s case raises questions about how social media fame can exacerbate mental health issues, particularly for individuals like him, who lack the resources to manage their challenges effectively.

Redwood County’s Reaction: A Rural Perspective on Fame and Justice

In Redwood County, Minnesota, where TikTok trends often filter into local conversations at community events, Daniel Larson’s story has sparked interest among residents who follow social media influencers. At a May 1, 2025, coffee meetup in Redwood Falls, a local librarian shared, “I’ve seen Daniel’s videos—he’s clearly struggling, and jail doesn’t seem like the right place for him.” Others expressed concern about the impact of social media fame, with a teacher noting, “It’s sad to see how the internet can amplify someone’s problems instead of helping them.”

Redwood County’s small jail, with a capacity of 42 inmates, has dealt with its share of mental health challenges, and residents are familiar with the limitations of rural facilities in providing adequate care. Larson’s case has prompted discussions about the need for mental health courts and diversion programs, which could offer treatment instead of incarceration for individuals like him. The question—Is Daniel Larson in jail because of systemic failures?—resonates here, as locals advocate for a more compassionate approach to justice.

What’s Next for Daniel Larson?

Is Daniel Larson in jail, and will he remain there? As of May 2, 2025, he is detained at Boulder County Jail, awaiting his next court date on June 10, 2025, where prosecutors will decide whether to pursue a trial or offer a plea deal on his April 2025 charges. If convicted of felony menacing and harassment, he could face up to six years in prison, extending his incarceration significantly. Additionally, his pending trial in Fort Collins for stalking and harassment, set for August 2025, could add further time if he is found guilty, potentially up to five more years.

Larson’s family and supporters are pushing for a mental health evaluation and a possible transfer to a facility better equipped to handle his needs, such as the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, which offers specialized care for inmates. However, without a plea deal or dismissal of charges, his immediate future remains behind bars. Daniel Larson’s story is a cautionary tale about the perils of social media fame, the challenges of mental health in the justice system, and the need for reform to support vulnerable individuals. As communities like Redwood County watch his case unfold, the question—Is Daniel Larson in jail for good?—remains open, a reflection of a system struggling to balance punishment with compassion.