Man who allegedly threatened relatives receives deferred sentence
DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Joseph Oliver makes his way to the defendant's table inside Flathead County District Court during his June 30, 2022, arraignment before Judge Dan Wilson. (Derrick Perkins/Daily Inter Lake)
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | December 13, 2022 11:00 PM
A Coram man accused of threatening his brother and another individual earned a deferred three-year sentence for criminal endangerment in Flathead County District Court last week.
Judge Dan Wilson handed the sentence down to Joseph Thomas Oliver, 37, on Dec. 8, giving him credit for 138 days of time served. Along with the deferred sentence, Wilson ordered Oliver to pay $323.13 in restitution.
Oliver initially pleaded not guilty to the felony charge in late June, but struck a deal with prosecutors Oct. 5. In exchange for the deferred sentence, Oliver agreed to plead guilty by way of an Alford plea to the charge. In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains their innocence while acknowledging the weight of evidence against them.
Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office arrested Oliver on June 10 after learning about threats he allegedly made earlier that month, according to court documents. Authorities found a semi-automatic rifle with several magazines and a handgun in Oliver’s vehicle during his arrest, court documents said.
News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].
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