This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Former TV pitchman "Super Dell" Schanze has agreed to let federal officers inspect his home for firearms, but he told a federal judge Tuesday that he viewed the search as "illegal" and "unconstitutional."

Schanze, 45, faces federal misdemeanor charges for allegedly harassing wildlife. He was in court Tuesday morning in front of U.S. District Court Magistrate Brooke Wells because he had not yet allowed officers access to his home.

The officers are supposed to verify whether Schanze complied with a judge's directive that he not possess weapons and ammunition in his home while he is awaiting trial.

During Tuesday's hearing, defense attorney Kent Hart said it was agreed that the federal officers would search his client's home Wednesday morning. Schanze, who arrived late and wore his sunglasses throughout the hearing, told the judge he would allow the officers in his house.

"I can comply with all the illegal searches, ma'am," he said. " ... Under duress, I have complied with all unconstitutional orders."

Prosecutors also told the judge that federal officers have been unable to make contact with Schanze, the former owner of the now-defunct Totally Awesome Computers. Schanze protested this allegation in court, telling the judge that he always answers his phone and has returned every message left by pretrial officers.

"Call me and see if my phone rings," he told the judge. "I answer phones all day. It's what I do."

Hart also told the judge Tuesday that Schanze, a passionate gun-rights advocate, feels "a bit exposed" and is concerned that if he removes the firearms from his house, he would be defenseless.

"A human head was thrown through my picture window," Schanze told the judge.

The judge did not allow Schanze to elaborate. Outside of court, Hart declined to comment. When Schanze was asked by reporters about his allegation that a head was thrown through his window, he also refused to comment.

"Not to you guys," he told reporters. "Tell the truth."

If Schanze does not allow the agents to search his home Wednesday, he is scheduled to be back in court again Jan. 8, when Wells could order Schanze arrested and jailed for failing to comply with her order.

Schanze has pleaded not guilty to knowingly using an aircraft to harass wildlife and pursuing a migratory bird — a barn owl — from his motorized paraglider near Utah Lake in 2011 — an incident that showed up on videos posted on YouTube.

Schanze said at his initial court appearance earlier this month that the video had been doctored.

A one-day jury trial is set for Feb. 17.

Twitter: @jm_miller