An Evanston man is facing a felony charge for putting angry signs on his lawn after a neighbor, who was a witness against him for a city ordinance violation, reported she felt threatened by the signs.
The case against Quinn Robert Groneman, who turns 44 this year, rose to the felony-level Uinta County District Court last week.
Groneman’s neighbor, a woman who turns 65 this year, had reported Groneman to the city last June for the appearance of his property, says an evidentiary affidavit. Groneman had a court hearing about that citation scheduled for February.
But on Jan. 19, Groneman’s neighbor called the Evanston Police Department to report that Groneman had posted threatening signs in his own yard, facing her property.
“When did the opinion of one nosey neighbor become enough to violate the rights others by the city?” read one sign, according to the affidavit. At the end of the message, the sign bore an arrow pointing toward the neighbor woman’s property.
The affidavit lists other signs that read: “Mind your business,” “Snoby opinion Don’t take …” “Those who matter don’t mind, those who mind don’t matter,” and “You can go F*** Way off!”
These were all on Groneman’s own property, the document says.
Intimidated
The neighbor felt the signs were directed at her and that she was scared, intimidated and harassed by them, she told Evanston Police Officer Ryan Nelsen.
She said Groneman and his household are “crazy” “gun-loving” people, the affidavit relates.
Groneman was released this month on a $1,000 surety bond.
He did not immediately respond to a Cowboy State Daily voicemail requesting comment.
Groneman attended a preliminary hearing March 15, where he contested whether county authorities have enough probable cause to keep prosecuting him on the felony charge.
Circuit Court Judge Michael Greer did find probable cause for the charge and sent the case to the felony-level court.
The felony charge of influencing witnesses is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. It applies when someone “by force or threats” tries to intimidate or impede a witness in a court case.
It also applies for jurors and officers of the court.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
