DICKINSON, N.D.
Dickinson's Joel Wetzel, 59, pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of burglary at his hearing on Monday. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of terrorizing.
The five charges Wetzel faces, all of which constitute felonies, were filed after a shooting and burglary that occurred in July.
According to the criminal complaint filed with the court, Wetzel allegedly entered a Dickinson residence on First Avenue Southwest by breaking a window. He then fired a rifle at a bedroom door and the impact of the bullet caused metal fragments to strike Arnie Sickler's leg.
Wetzel then allegedly exited the residence with his shotgun.
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The complaint goes on to say that the Dickinson Police Department responded to the scene and told Wetzel to drop his weapon. Instead, Wetzel allegedly raised his rifle and pointed it at Officer Jeremy Moser.
Sgt. Dan Brown then shot Wetzel in the side.
Wetzel waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Monday and a pretrial conference is to be held in the future.
Last month, Judge William Herauf ruled that Wetzel had violated his bond conditions by allegedly consuming alcohol and his bond was raised from $10,000 to $100,000.
Wetzel is currently being held at Dickinson's Southwest Multi County Correction Center.
He declined to comment after Monday's hearing.
The Dickinson Press and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
