A 51-year-old Rapid City man pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to aggravated assault, a charge he faces for allegedly threatening a tow truck driver tasked with towing away his motorcycle.
Michael Leger entered the plea during his arraignment in Pennington County Court before Circuit Court Judge Jane Wipf Pfeifle.
Aggravated assault is a class 3 felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.
According to police reports, on Oct. 23, 2023, property management at a mobile home park on East Saint Patrick Street asked a private tow company to remove a motorcycle at the park.
When the tow truck operator arrived at the address, a neighbor of Leger’s allegedly warned him Leger had brandished firearms at people in the past.
When the operator approached the residence, he saw Leger stick his head of the door and explained he was there to tow the motorcycle.
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Leger allegedly yelled at him, “No, you’re not,” before grabbing a rifle. The alleged victim walked away, fearing he would be shot. He returned to the tow truck and grabbed a pistol.
When police arrived, they arrested Leger and brought him to jail. Leger told police he would not consent to police going into his house to get the shotgun, but instead had his daughter get the gun.
Leger allegedly told police he did exit the house with a shotgun in his hand, but he didn’t point the gun at the tow truck driver or threaten him.
Leger is out of custody on a personal recognizance bond. His next day in court is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on April 18 for a motions hearing.
Contact Shalom Baer Gee at [email protected]
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