KINGMAN – A contentious defendant nearly derailed his own plea agreement during a Nov. 1 hearing at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center. Derik Geiger, 32, posed several unusual questions during the change of plea hearing before Judge Billy Sipe.
Geiger asked Judge Sipe if he received his communication about his military service.
“I requested a military Court and here we are. Whatever,” Geiger said, lobbing an F-bomb while branding the proceeding “outrageous.”
Geiger subsequently asked about having his court case records sealed and whether a conviction would prevent him from acquiring dual citizenship status.
Judge Sipe several times inquired whether Geiger really wanted to enter the plea agreement, given his questions and apparent reluctance.
Geiger assured the Court he wanted to enter the agreement.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment, a charge reduced from kidnapping. An animal cruelty count is dismissed.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Julia Ketchum said a 25-year-old neighbor and his puppy were visiting on Sept. 3 at Geiger’s residence in Valle Vista north of Kingman. She said Geiger broke a glass and threatened the man as he exited the home and kicked the puppy out the door.
Ketchum said the puppy died.
Judge Sipe questioned how the scenario constituted either a kidnapping or unlawful imprisonment. He was satisfied when attorneys explained the victim had fear of “being trapped” by Geiger’s intimidating behavior.
Judge Sipe denied Geiger’s request to be sentenced immediately. He scheduled a Nov. 26 hearing with Geiger facing probation up to one year in prison.
Dave Hawkins
