KINGMAN – An alleged weapon pointing incident during a June 2 Black Lives Matter event in downtown Kingman was an accidental fluke incident of poor timing, according to Legal Defender Ron Gilleo. He spoke on behalf of his client Robert Fernandes, who entered a plea agreement Sept. 17 that could send him to the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Phillip Delgado, however, said Fernandes, 43, Kingman deliberately pointed the weapon when driving by the demonstration at Locomotive Park.
“The defendant leveled a simulated weapon at protesters,” Delgado said. “One protest participant was placed in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury.”
Gileo said the pellet gun dropped from the seat to the floor board and that Fernandes had picked it up when driving by, leaving the false impression of a deliberate pointing. Pursuing police arrested Fernandes a few blocks from the demonstration and no one was injured.
Four counts of aggravated assault are being dismissed in the agreement convicting him of one aggravated assault charge. Fernandes hesitated, then answered when asked if he was accepting terms of the deal.
“It is what is it, but yes your Honor,” Fernandes said.
Fernandes could get as little as probation or as much as 8.75 years in prison when sentenced October 19 by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert.
- Dave Hawkins
