Joseph Sterkel Sentenced To Probation For Weapon Possession Charges

A Casper man will avoid a lengthy prison stay, after admitting he pointed a gun at a group of people.

Joseph Sterkel was given a three-to-five year suspended prison sentence with four years of probation, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful purpose.

Witnesses told police in December they were at Panchos Restaurant and recognized a pickup truck that was there a week prior in another incident.

The witnesses took a picture of the truck's license plate, and a short time later the truck pulled up towards them, with Sterkel driving.

Sterkel is accused of pointing a pistol at them,  then driving away with the gun still pointed at them.

In an interview with police, Sterkel admitted being at the restaurant both times, but denied pointing a weapon in the first instance.

As part of his punishment, Sterkel has been ordered to complete the felony program at the Casper Re-Entry Center, take an anger management course, not be in possession of any firearms, and forfeit the weapon that was used in his case.