A Chandler man scheduled to stand trial on a felony charge and misdemeanor count has pleaded guilty and been given suspended sentences.
Roy Allen Butler, 31, was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court on Feb. 17 this year with feloniously pointing a firearm and domestic abuse— assault and battery, a misdemeanor, after he was arrested by Chandler police following a domestic incident with his wife.
On April 14, Butler was bound over to stand trial.
During his arraignment before District Judge Cindy Ashwood on April 26, Butler entered a plea of not guilty. He acknowledged he knows of the charges and his rights.
Judge Ashwood scheduled him for the jury trial docket that started on June 6. Later, he changed his pleas.
As the result of a plea bargain agreement, he withdrew his previous pleas and entered guilty pleas. The judge received the pleas. Butler and the state waived a pre-sentence investigation.
The judge found Butler guilty as charged and on the feloniously pointing a firearm count she handed him a five-year suspended sentence in the Department of Corrections, assessed him a $300 fine, $100 VCA and court costs.
On the misdemeanor count, he was given one year in the Lincoln County jail with all time suspended, a $100 fine, $100 VCA and court costs. The suspended terms are to run concurrently.
Butler also was ordered to perform 40 hours of Community Service within six months of release from custody, pay 991C fees, complete a 52-week Domestic Violence Course and he was placed on supervised probation with DOC.
He was advised of his right to appeal and the judge set a review for Oct. 4. He was ordered to report to the probation office and Court Clerk’s administrator within 10 days of release.
Chandler police officers, who arrested Butler, visited with the victim, Stephanie Carissa Butler and discovered he was wanted in Texas.
In further checking, Chandler police confirmed Butler was wanted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division.
Chandler Police Lt. Dax Phipps, who first responded to the call, said he later learned from the NCIC entry that Butler was considered armed and dangerous and that he was a confirmed criminal gang member of the Aryan Circle.
Butler was then transported by Chandler Assistant Police Chief Wells to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked into jail. Wells assisted Phipps with the call.
Before transporting Butler to the Lincoln County Jail, Wells had found a fixed blade knife and two other pocketknives on Butler.
In the felony charge against Butler, he was accused on Feb. 14 this year in the city of Chandler of pointing a firearm at Stephanie Butler for the purpose of threatening her or for the purpose of injuring her by physical injury or by mental or emotional intimidation.
The misdemeanor count charges him on the same day of striking Stephanie Butler, his wife, on the head and body with his hands and fists.