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BrianK …
I was recently searching my standard name line and place of birth through google to see and ensure what stories are comming up in relation to my name.
First off I would like to thank you for not believing what the media (st. cloud) stated about me.
I in fact have had a valid carry and conceal since 2005 and to this day still hold my carry and conceal. I am a military veteran who has deployed (at the time of the incident) four times to fight in the middle east.
The real story of the incident was that two 20 year old adults (both with priors for drug use, under age consumption of alcohol, and to be best summed up by my lawyer at the time, “punks”) decided to try and run me off the road. They first began flashing their brights and swerving at me along highway 10, then i decreased speed and they pulled along side of me and began to flip me off, and crossing the lane in order to get me to further slow down. I again slowed down to almost 20-30 mph just to allow them to continue on and they would not. At that time the i had no idea how many individuals were in the vehicle and I took the only course of action I could take at the time. If I had stopped my vehicle entirely I believe they would have stopped their vehicle as well.
Moments after I ended the situtation I continued on into St. Cloud to visit a friend. When I arrived in the city limits of St. Cloud I was surrounded by St. Cloud Police and at gun point taken from my vehicle. I cooperated, declared that I had a hand gun in my possession and provided not one but three valid carry and conceal certification from MN, NH and NC.
I will fast forward to when an attempted book throwing ensued. After spending three days in solitary confinment while waiting to be processed and charged. I finally recieved what I was being charged with. Felony Terroristic Threats, 5th Degree Assault and I believe Brandishing a Firearm (it has been a long time).
After challenging each charge in court, presenting my military record, and spotless criminal record, the Benton county prosecutor reluctantly dropped all charges, except a petty disorderly conduct. She asked that I apologize to the individuals in the other vehicle for my behavior. Reluctantly and disengenously I did and the immaturity of one of the individuals was so apparent the Benton County prosecutor looked embarrased.
Defending yourself in my opinion in the state of Minnesota is not worth the heart ache, monetary funds, depression and stress it puts on not only yourself but your family. I fought in court for almost 10 months defending myself against this.
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> Hi Joe,
>
> Would you allow me to post your side?
>
> As an outsider looking in, I would say the only thing you did wrong was
> to not call the police yourself. I’m GUESSING had that happened the two
> “punks” would have the hassle and not you.
>
> I wasn’t there…but I can see myself doing exactly the same as
> you…and I wouldn’t have called it in either, but your story educated me.
>
> Have you felt any repercussions from this indecent? If you don’t mind me
> asking.
>
> I’m getting ready for a guide trip. So I’ll not be around for a while.
>
> BK
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Brian;
I have no issue with you posting it.
The first 10 months were miserable. I tried to put it off into the back of my mind and focused on finnishing my BA. Which i did successfully. I had to resign from my post active duty job as a corrections officer. After the charges were dropped the State of Minnesota contacted me and I had to attend a session to justify why I deserve to keep my drivers liscense. Eventhough my charges were dropped and I was never found guilty of anything vehicle related, nor weapon related. I again had my lawyer (who is probably one of the most amazing individuals ever) attend the session with me and he took apart the members of the meeting and since then I have not had one issue with the State of Minnesota. In 2010 I requested that the petty disorderly conduct be expounged from my record and without issue it was. After about a year worth of the headache the stress from that whole ordeal was pretty much gone. I’ve gone back into active duty because to be honest 90% of civilians will never respect the judgement, experience and assessment of a multiple combat veteran. So I would prefer to be in the enviroment that I am comfortable in, respected and can trust others. I have gone over my decision within those few moments over and over again quite often. I can honestly say I would not have reacted any differently based on what i assessed at that moment and time. If i had the foresight to know the repercussions though I would not have made the same choice.
Thank you,
Joe
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