HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 62-year-old man who entered a plea to a single count of making a criminal threat, while the state dropped all the other charges against him was granted one year of probation on a six month sentence.

Kerry Getz had been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing reckless bodily harm and criminal damage to property, but as a part of a plea agreement, the state dropped all the other charges.

It was back on March 17 when a sub-contracted employee of Westar Energy was at the Getz home replacing electrical meters on the houses in the area.

Getz apparently became angry and began arguing with the Westar worker, Carter Coulteur who then fled to his truck for safety. Getz then allegedly followed him in his own vehicle and blocked in the worker. Another confrontation occurred and Getz allegedly damaged the Westar vehicle and attempted to take property from the truck. In one of the verbal exchanges, he made the comment to the Westar employee that he had a weapon and may have to use it.

At some point, Getz attempted to use his vehicle in an effort to run over the Westar employee, however, the employee was able to escape with no injuries. Eventually, the Westar employee attempted to flee again in his truck and the resident chased him down in his vehicle and forced him off of the road by ramming into him. As the Westar truck wrecked, Getz drove back to his residence.

There is still some question of restitution in this case, but that’s expected to be cleared up by next Friday.