Man Denies Brandishing Pistol Outside Mills Strip Club
An Oklahoma man accused of brandishing a pistol outside of a Mills strip club requested a judge's permission to leave the country for a job interview with the Australian Defence Force.
Natrona County District Court Judge Daniel Forgey denied Karl Grant Gustke's request during an arraignment hearing Wednesday. Gutske, 33, was in court on a charge of aggravated assault, to which he pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, Gutske's attorney, Donald Fuller, said Gustke received accolades for his service in the U.S. military. His interview with the Australian Defence Force would be in June, but his actual service would be long after the proceedings in the case concluded.
Forgey denied the request based on the seriousness of the charges and because Gutske is also charged with felonies in Texas.
According to charging documents, sheriff's deputies were called to Racks Saloon at 2 a.m. Witnesses said that Gustke was asked to leave after attempting to get a female bartender's phone number.
Gutske refused and the manager took him to the door. When Gutske and the manager were outside, Gutske said, "I got something for you," went to his Mercedes car, popped the trunk and grabbed a 10-inch long object.
The manager retreated inside and grabbed a baseball bat.
When the manager went outside, he saw Gutske put his car in reverse and drive it toward him. The manager had to step over a guard rail to avoid being run over.
Gutske then drove around the building, pointed a pistol at the manager and drove off. The manager went inside, locked the doors and informed people inside of the situation.
Law enforcement arrived shortly after.
Gutske was located driving on Old West Yellowstone Highway near Redman road. Deputies found the 10-inch-long object described by the manager and the pistol in Gutske's front seat.
He was arrested and transported to the Natrona County Detention Center.