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EVOCITY, ID - Senator Richard Pumpkin, previously charged with assaulting a deputy after misusing the 911 system, tonight appeared in court for an arraignment hearing amidst a sheriff misconduct investigation. 

After his arrest, Pumpkin was charged with reckless driving (due to an incident earlier that day), misuse of 911, attempted criminal damage of government property and attempted assault on a law enforcement officer.

The District Attorney's office offered Pumpkin a plea deal, favourable, as it said he was potentially looking at two years custody as a maximum punishment, of nine months on probation, a $2000 fine and a one year driving ban. 

After initially entering a not guilty plea, tonight Senator Pumpkin, represented by ace defence lawyer Gregory Edgeworth () entered a motion to change his plea to no contest. This was discussed in the judge's chambers with the prosecution (led by local renowned prosecutor Leonardo Russo ()) and accepted.

Presiding judge, Michael Andrews () thereafter sentenced Senator Pumpkin to the agreed sentence.

In the audience, were also several MCSO officers, including arresting officer Captain Sebastian Kruger, and Sergeant John Tassiter, whom was the subject of a recent misconduct investigation, but was cleared of any wrongdoing by the department.

It is not yet clear if Senator Pumpkin has agreed to drop his threatened lawsuit against the Marion County Sheriff's Office, although this was, according to the District Attorney's Office, part of the plea deal.

As for the recent misconduct allegations against Sergeant John Tassiter by Senator Richard Pumpkin, Sergeant Tassiter was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Sheriff's department - who claimed that Sgt Tassiter says he was assaulted by the senator, which it cannot prove or disprove. It is then, interesting, why no charges for this claimed assault were filed by the department, and unknown whether or not the department intends to file further charges in the future against Senator Pumpkin.

As for the mean time, for the next nine months, Senator Pumpkin will be monitored by a dedicated Probation & Parole Officer from the Idaho Department of Correction, and, with his one year driving ban, is likely to be ferried around to party and government events by a dedicated driver, and with his party in government, likely at the taxpayer's expense. 

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Published: 22 July, 2019
Submitted by: Samantha Coldsmith