David Frederick was sentenced to 60 days in the Montezuma County Detention Center and given probation in the 22nd Judicial District after being found guilty of pointing a gun at a cowboy in December.
At the start of his sentencing, both victims and supporters of Frederick were given the opportunity to address Chief Judge Todd Plewe.
Christopher Jeter, the cowboy, the incident had caused him fear as he goes about his work.
“I could have died that day,” Jeter wrote. “How much is he allowed to get away with before he kills somebody?”
Jeter’s son, Cole Jeter, also wrote a letter, expressing what it was like to see Frederick point a gun at his father’s face. He wondered whether they would be safe when going to work and driving past Frederick’s home each day.
Others came in support of Frederick, vouching for his character.
One man, named Jim, said he didn’t recognize the man described by the victims.
“I don’t recognized the man all these complaints are against,” he said. “I haven’t seen any of this in the times I’ve been around Mr. Frederick.”
He added that Frederick was “honest and truthful” and that he thought it was “rash” for a first-time offense.
A letter from Frederick’s psychiatrist nurse practitioner included a look into some of the mental health challenges Frederick has been diagnosed with, including a traumatic brain injury.
The psychiatrist noted that the brain injury can affect personality and behavior and can worsen as time goes on.
Before his sentencing, Frederick was offered a deferred judgment by the district attorney’s office, but it was rejected by Plewe because it did not include time in jail.
Frederick also had a jury trial, and Plewe shared that the evidence shared in the jury trial was “overwhelming” and made it clear that Frederick had pointed the gun at Jeter.
“We are solely here because you pointed a gun at someone’s head,” Plewe said. “People who point guns at other people go to jail in my court.”
Plewe went on to say that being “angry or frustrated” was not an excuse to point a gun at another person.
“I understand you’re frustrated, but you can’t point guns at people,” Plewe said while acknowledging Frederick’s brain injury.
Plewe sentenced Frederick to 60 days in jail and to probation after his jail time. While on probation, he is not permitted to be in possession of alcohol, and he will no longer be able to possess firearms, even after probation has ended.
He must also adhere to the set protection orders and enroll in a traumatic brain injury support group.
Plewe gave Frederick some time to make arrangements for his medication with the jail and for his livestock during his jail time. He was not permitted to acquire work release while in jail.
“I hope you anticipated going to jail,” Plewe said.
He will be required to report to jail Friday at 10 p.m.
The incident occurred Dec. 30 near the 18000 block of Road 14.
When Montezuma County Sheriff’s deputy Wrangler Hinton arrived after a report of menacing, he met Gayel Alexander, who told him that Frederick had pointed a gun at one of her cowboys while he was herding cows.
The incident had allegedly taken place after some issues between Alexander and Frederick “over gates through an easement.”
Frederick allegedly approached the cowboys and began videoing them. When Jeter “flipped” Frederick off, he drove up to Jeter and his horse and pointed a black .357 Magnum at his head. Frederick cocked the hammer, according to the report.
After Jeter reportedly put his hands up and kicked his horse to get away from Frederick, Frederick left.
