BULLHEAD CITY — A Bullhead City man arrested for swinging a machete at a public park, kicking his dog and scuffling with police officers has entered a plea agreement. The December 19 hearing for Erik Arenas, 30, bogged down when the defendant indicated expectation for release next month and denied engaging in animal cruelty.
“Can I fight the animal abuse because I didn’t kick no dog,” Arenas told Mohave County Superior Court judge Lee Jantzen.
The Court informed Arenas that he can go to trial if he wants, but that the plea proposal includes an animal cruelty conviction. Arenas said he’d plead guilty to avoid trial.
Deputy county attorney Carlos Lopez said witnesses called police after seeing Arenas swing a machete at a tree at Rotary Park on October 7. He said they also told officers that they saw Arenas lift his dog up by its chin before kicking it three times.
Lopez said the machete was on the ground when Arenas tried to pull away as officers attempted to place him in custody.
Arenas is also convicted of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct involving a weapon. Judge Jantzen told him that terms of the deal require him to place Arenas on probation at a January 20 sentencing hearing.
“So, basically I’ll be out of here in a month,” Arenas queried.
Jantzen corrected Arenas and told him he can still get up to a year in jail, on top of probation on January 20.
“There’s a chance you get out on that day, but there’s no guarantee,” Jantzen said. “This plea agreement does not guarantee your release.”
