PARIS — A 69-year-old Norway man pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and threatening to kill two neighbors Tuesday in Oxford County Superior Court.

Daniel Smith pleaded guilty to two charges of terrorizing and one charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor said Smith had a 2006 felony conviction for illegal possession of oxycodone that prevented him from owning a firearm.

O’Connor said that on Aug. 8, 2011, Smith called Norway police to report his prescription medications stolen. Police went to his house to speak with Smith. “The complaint seemed rather vague,” O’Connor said.

As police were leaving, a neighbor flagged them down and said the man couldn’t be left alone with a gun. She said Smith had been acting erratically in recent weeks and drinking heavily. She said he’d shown her and her daughter a handgun and threatened to kill them both.

Police noted a large amount of alcohol in the house. They searched for the weapon until Smith pointed out the box where he kept it. O’Connor said police found a loaded handgun in the box.

Smith’s attorney, George Hess, said his client disagreed with much of the state’s evidence but agreed to a guilty plea. He was sentenced to one year in jail, all suspended, with a year of probation. He must keep away from the women he threatened.

treaves@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link