A Denver police officer who pulled a gun on a man riding a snowmobile down a city street during one of last winter’s large storms pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and agreed to quit his job Thursday.
In return, prosecutors dropped a felony menacing charge against Christopher Dobson, 46, and recommended no jail time.
Judge William Robbins said he could still sentence Dobson to up to 12 months in jail during a Sept. 28 sentencing hearing.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Jackson said he is agreeing to the deal even though Jayson Osborne, the victim in the case, is opposed.
Osborne, reached at his home by phone, said Dobson has had previous run-ins with neighbors, and he wanted the felony so Dobson could not own a gun.
“I have a feeling he’ll do it again,” Osborne said, adding that he is also concerned Dobson could get a job at another police jurisdiction.
Osborne said he argued with prosecutors for three hours to go to trial and believes Dobson is getting special treatment because he is a police officer.
“If it was me, I’d be locked up,” Osborne said.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the Denver district attorney’s office, said officials understand that Osborne is not happy with the outcome of the case, but they must do the best with what they can prove.
“The guilty-plea agreement was reached with the same process that we use in all our cases regardless of the occupation of the defendant,” she said.
During the court hearing, Robbins said Osborne could testify during sentencing.
The incident happened just before noon Jan. 3 in the 2700 block of College Avenue in Denver when Dobson pointed a gun at Osborne’s head, according to the police report.
Dobson showed up in court in a leg brace and with his arm in a sling. Court filings said he had been in a severe motorcycle accident in March.
Dobson’s attorney did not return a call seeking comment.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-954-1244 or akane@denverpost.com.
