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DUCHESNE, Utah (AP) -- A former Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy pleaded guilty to felony assault charges after allegedly threatening to kill himself and his family members.
Wallace O. Nelson III, 38, of Riverton pleaded guilty last week in district court to two counts of third-degree aggravated assault and misdemeanor domestic violence in the presence of a child. Sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 15.
Nelson had originally been charged with four felony assault charges and six related misdemeanor counts.
The charges were from a June 28 incident involving Nelson, his parents, his wife and his five children at a cabin in Timber Canyon, according to court records.
Investigators said Nelson threatened family members with his gun following an argument with his father. One child was able to run away and summon help.
When eight Duchesne County sheriff's deputies responded, Nelson had thrown his gun into the bushes and was walking up the road, Sheriff's Sgt. Rick Coil said.
He was taken into custody without incident. Shortly afterward, the 13-year veteran resigned from the department, Salt Lake County sheriff's spokeswoman Peggy Faulkner said.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
