Plea entered in gun case

SANDPOINT — A Washington state man accused of drawing a pistol during a confrontation in Priest River has pleaded to a drastically reduced charge of disturbing the peace.

Mathew Raye Baker entered an Alford plea to the misdemeanor during a preliminary hearing on Dec. 18, court records show. Under the plea, Baker admits no wrongdoing but concedes he could be convicted of the offense at trial.

Baker, who lists addresses in Spirit Lake and Elk, Wash., was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault on Thanksgiving, after allegedly pulling a pistol on another man during a child-custody exchange. There were no injuries.

Baker, 25, was arrested without incident on U.S. Highway 2 with his 6-year-old son in tow. A deputy recovered a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol.

Baker, according to police reports, said he was acting in self-defense when he drew the firearm.

Bonner County Public Defender Dan Taylor recommended that Baker face no additional jail time after serving two days behind bars.

Judge Debra Heise imposed a 180-day sentence, but suspended 176 days, gave him credit for two days and ordered him to serve two more, court records indicate.