Evansville man sentenced to prison for threatening man with knife

CASPER, Wyo. — An Evansville man was sentenced Tuesday to two and a half to five years in prison for showing up at a man's home and threatening him with a knife last year.

Richard Allen Conner, 53, pleaded guilty in Alford to aggravated assault and battery earlier this year.

Conner's attorney, Noelle Bradshaw, told Judge Kerri Johnson that Conner has been exemplary in making bail, seeking counseling, taking classes and maintaining gainful employment. Letters from Conner's boss, his surety and his advisor were filed on his behalf, describing him as a model client with the right attitude to become a productive member of society.

Bradshaw said that although Conner entered the residence in a jealous rage, the encounter began with a peaceful handshake, a detail not recounted in the state's narrative. She said Conner became a devoted family man.

Despite the mitigating factors, Judge Johnson said she could not “get over” the fact that this was Conner's 10th crime in a criminal history that included three burglaries.

On Oct. 3, 2023, a central Casper man called police to say Conner showed up at his front door with a knife, according to the police report. As he backed into the apartment, Conner followed, brandishing the knife and cornering the man.

Conner's girlfriend had recently ended their relationship due to what she described as his deteriorating mental state and abuse of controlled substances, which she wanted to keep away from their new child. Conner had mistakenly believed that the man in the apartment was having a relationship with her.

The police report says Conner sent the woman and others numerous threatening text messages in the days leading up to the attack.

Bradshaw described this episode as “a moment of weakness, consumed by fear and jealousy.” Bradshaw said Conner and the woman have since reconciled and he has devoted himself to family life, a motivation he had not previously had. At 53, Conner was done with the life of crime, Bradshaw said.

“It was a stupid act on my part,” Conner told the judge.

Conner will get credit for 128 days served.

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