FOUNTAIN, Colo.—A Fort Carson soldier who was shot and wounded by civilian police during a confrontation has been charged with assault, false imprisonment and other counts.
Sgt. Stephen David Payne, 34, was shot Aug. 12 when he allegedly ignored orders and reached for a handgun in the front yard of a home in Fountain, a town near Fort Carson, authorities said.
Prosecutors said Tuesday Payne is charged with three counts of first-degree assault, one alleging he threatened a police officer. If convicted of that charge, he could be sentenced to 10 to 32 years in prison.
He faces a total of 15 charges, including menacing, harassment, child abuse and prohibited use of a weapon for allegedly being drunk with gun.
His attorney, Steve Benson, declined to comment.
Fountain police said they were responding to a report of a shot fired when Payne followed family members into the yard and reached for a handgun.
Police said one officer shot Payne several times, and Payne was hospitalized for his wounds. A review cleared the officer of wrongdoing, Fountain police Cpl. Dorell Green said.
Payne’s wife and two children were unharmed.
Payne is a mechanic assigned to the 759th Military Police Battalion, part of the 59th Military Police Brigade, and remains on active duty, Fort Carson said.
He is free on a $25,000 bond. His next court appearance is Oct. 5.
