By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The defendant in a shooting case that took place more than a year and a half ago was placed on probation, was fined and was given jail time.
Ondi Williamson appeared before Fourth District Court Judge James Brady to receive a sentence on August 26 after entering a guilty plea earlier.
Brady said that the court has the duty to impose a sentence, which includes the plea or the verdict and the sentence.
"The defendant is placed on probation for 36 months," said Brady.
Parole will be supervised by Adult Probation and Parole. Williamson is also to serve 90 days in jail and is to report to the Juab County Jail.
"The defendant is to pay a fine of $950 which includes the surcharge," said Brady. "Interest may increase the final amount due."
Williamson, at the time the charges were brought, was the owner of the Safari Motel. He was charged with seven third degree felony counts of aggravated assault, class "B" misdemeanor of interference with the arresting officer and a class "B" misdemeanor of discharge of a firearm from a vehicle.
The latter charge also can refer to discharge of a weapon within 600 feet of a house, dwelling, or any other building.
A 2nd Degree Felony, of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and three 3rd Degree Felony charges of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury were dismissed as a result of the plea agreement.
Williamson was sentenced for two 3rd Degree Felony charges of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one Class B Misdemeanor for discharge of firearms and one Class B Misdemeanor for interference with an arresting officer.
Ron Yangich, was attorney for Williamson, and Jared Eldridge, Juab County Attorney, prosecuted the case.
Several of the young adults who were at the scene the night of incident, took the stand during the preliminary hearing and all testified that Williamson struck one of the men in the mouth, then brandished and shot a firearm and had to be commanded by police more than once to drop the gun.
"Based on the defendant's conviction of aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury a 3rd Degree Felony, the defendant is sentenced to an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years in the Utah State Prison," said Brady. "The prison term is suspended."
The same sentence was also read for the second 3rd Degree Felony charge.
The 180-day sentence of jail time for each of the two Class B Misdemeanor charges was suspended. Credit was granted for one day previously served on the second charge.
"Forty-five days of jail term is suspended subject to the defendant not owning any weapons or guns during his probationary period," said Brady. "All counts are to run concurrent with one another."
For charges #2, #3, #8, and #9, the fines were $9,533 each but all were suspended. Those suspended fines amounted to $22,932 in total. Charges #1, #4, #5, #6 and #7 were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
"The defendant may perform community service in lieu of the fine at the rate of $8 per hour," he said.
He said that $132 of the fine is for a security fee.
In addition to the usual terms of probation, Williamson was given a no contact order to stay away from both the victim and that person's mother.
"The defendant is ordered to successfully complete an anger management course," said Brady.
He will also be required to complete any additional counseling, treatment, or programming as directed by Adult Probation and Parole.
Motion for restitution may be submitted by the county attorney within 90 days with the defense responding within 30 days if they are requesting a hearing.
Williamson was to report to the count jail by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 29, to begin his jail time, said Brady.
The charges came as a result of an altercation that took place on April 19, 2013 at the Safari Motel in Nephi.
In the earlier court proceedings, three of the young adults who were at the scene the night of April 19, 2013, took the stand and all charged that Ondi Williamson struck one of the men in the mouth, then brandished and shot a firearm, and had to be commanded by police more than once to drop the gun.
Douglas Anderson, Nephi City Police Officer, submitted evidence in a probable cause statement, that Williamson punched Zac Carter in the face causing extensive dental damage, and that he also threatened a group of young adults with a gun.
