SANDPOINT - A 22-year-old Moyie Springs man accused of pulling a gun on another motorist during a confrontation on U.S. Highway 95 waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

Jacob Billy Joseph Mutter's waiving of the right paves the way for his arraignment in 1st District Court on June 1. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with March incident.

A motorist told a sheriff's deputy that he was towing a boat on the highway when the vessel's engine cover flew off and landed on the highway. A vehicle Mutter was a passenger in proceeded to run over the cover.

Mutter, according to a probable cause affidavit, said the motorist approached his vehicle in an aggressive manner and sarcastically thanked him and the driver for running over the cover.

The motorist alleged that Mutter pointed a semiautomatic rifle at him, his wife and his 11-year-old son. Mutter denied threatening the family, but did admit to displaying the weapon to show that he was armed, court documents indicate.

A trace amount of methamphetamine was discovered when Mutter was arrested, which led to a felony drug possession charge.