Preston man sentenced for brandishing weapon
November 18th, 2009 Posted in OpinionBy Benjamin Wood
LOGAN–Wesley Rich, 30, of Preston, Idaho, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in 1st District Court Monday. The case involved an altercation near ICON Health and Fitness in August.
Rich received a $200 fine and has 60 days to enroll in either a hunter safety course, or a concealed weapons class. Rich was also originally charged with threat of use of a dangerous weapon in fight, a class A misdemeanor, but that charge was dismissed
as part of his plea agreement. “The results of this plea agreement satisfy the court,” Judge Clint Judkins said.
According to his attorney, Wayne Caldwell, Rich was involved in an incident on Aug. 28 when the driver in a car following Rich became angered with his driving and followed him to the ICON facility in Logan. Rich parked his car, and was immediately “boxed in” by the other driver. Caldwell said there was an exchange of hand gestures and shouting, prompting Rich to draw a firearm while within his car and shout “I have a weapon and I know how to use it.”
“I think he was a little bit nervous, a little scared,” Caldwell said of his client’s actions.
Police arrived shortly after Rich had drawn his weapon. According to court documents, Rich was charged with disorderly conduct, an infraction, for being “engaged in fighting or in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior.”
Prosecuting Attorney Tony Baird recommended that Rich not be put on probation and spoke on behalf of his character. “He’s an otherwise law-abiding citizen who did the wrong thing,” Baird said.
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