LAKE HAVASU CITY – A veteran of the U.S. Navy is going to prison for pointing a rifle at family members as he conducted a military exercise in their home in Lake Havasu City more than three months ago. David Denney, 37, pleaded no contest to child abuse and disorderly conduct involving a weapon charges during an August 29 hearing.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney James Schoppmann said Denney was dressed in combat gear, including a tactical vest and a pistol gun belt, and was also armed with an AR-15, as he conducted a clearing exercise while working his way through the family home in the 3000 block of Arabian Circle on May 22.
No one was hurt and portions of the incident were captured on a home video security device.
A police report indicates Denney and his wife were divorcing but still living together at the time. She told officers she was concerned for the safety of their five-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter given her husband’s alleged drug abuse while being armed in the presence of their children.
The woman exited the home and called police from a nearby park. Arriving officers interviewed the woman and her daughter and viewed the video through the mother’s cell phone. Schoppmann told Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle that the video shows Denney engaged in clearing the home and that he pointed the AR-15 at both of his children at different times and also at the back of his wife’s head as she walked away from him in a hallway.
“It was like he was hunting her,” the police report said.
The girl told officers her dad was “sweeping” the duplex-style home and that she was uncomfortable.
Mrs. Denney said her estranged husband suffers from PTSD and depression, as well as anxiety and bipolar disorders. She also indicated he abused illegal drugs as well as prescribed medication.
The police report said that Denney indicated he usually conducts the “CQB” (closed quarters combat) drills when his family is sleeping, or not home. He denied that the weapon was loaded or trained on his kids or wife.
“Not once was that barrel pointed at anyone in the house,” he told officers, according to the police report.
Terms of the plea deal require Judge Carlisle to order a prison term between 18 and 36 months. Sentencing is scheduled September 24.
