An Andover New Jersey man recently pleaded guilty to allegations that he used a hatchet to threaten another person at a residence in Sparta, NJ.
According to the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, the 27-year-old suspect threatened one of his friends at a house located on Aline Trail in Sparta, New Jersey.
Not long after the incident, the Sparta Police Department received a call and dispatched officers to the scene. Once police got to the residence, they spoke with the parties and learned that the altercation stemmed from a dispute involving several people.
Police said that the suspect got upset when three men left the house without him. While the men were away from the residence, the suspect allegedly sent a number of text messages in which he threatened to harm the men.
When the men returned to the house, they reportedly confronted the suspect about a missing iPod. According to authorities, the suspect then reached for a hatchet and threatened one of the men. The other two men grabbed the suspect and held him down until Sparta police officers were able to arrive at the scene.
After police showed up at the residence, they arrested the suspect. He was later charged with third degree terroristic threats and fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Last month, the suspect pleaded guilty in Sussex County Superior Court in Newton, New Jersey. He has been sentenced to 2 years of probation, with credit for time already served while he awaited resolution of the case.
The superior court judge also imposed a $280 fine and ordered the suspect to undergo drug abuse evaluations and anger management counseling. The suspect will also have to forfeit all weapons.
For additional information about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “Man Who Threatened Friend with Hatchet Gets Probation.”
