PAYSON — A man who police say became extremely intoxicated, illegally fired guns in his backyard and then pointed a weapon at police who were called to his house, now faces multiple charges.
Kaler Craig Hone, 26, of Payson, was charged Monday in 4th District Court with assault on a police officer, a second-degree felony; reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor; and two counts unlawful discharge of a firearm, and carrying a weapon while under the influence, both class B misdemeanors.
On Nov. 18, Hone’s live-in girlfriend had broken up with him and was packing her belongings, according to charging documents. Hone “had gotten very intoxicated on alcohol due to the breakup, had grabbed a shotgun stored inside the home, and was waving the gun around. At least once, the shotgun was pointed in the direction of (the girlfriend)” and she became frightened she might accidentally be shot, the charges state.
Hone then went in the backyard and fired several rounds, according to the charges, and told the girlfriend and her mother “that he would shoot any police officers that were dispatched to the home.”
The girlfriend called her brother who then called 911.
The girlfriend and her mother left the house and met police at the end of the street, according to an affidavit. Officers positioned themselves in front of Hone’s house and used a patrol car’s PA system to order Hone to come out, the charges state.
Hone came to the front porch with a rifle “and shouldered the rifle in a threatening manner pointed directly at officers,” according to charging documents.
Police responded with less lethal actions by firing a bean bag round at Hone, knocking him to the ground, the charges state. Officers then quickly moved in and placed Hone in custody.
Investigators found 9mm and .22 caliber shell casings in the backyard where Hone was firing his weapons within 600 feet of other residences, the charge state.
Officers conducted a portable breath test on Hone and said it registered at 0.377%, which is over seven times the legal limit for driving.