CASPER — A 20-year-old Casper man accused of pulling a loaded handgun on a group of teen girls at a local skate park pleaded not guilty in Natrona County District Court on Thursday.
Dallas Jerome Dickinson allegedly pulled the gun on three girls in May, racked the weapon, then pointed it at them “gangster style” as he told them to get out of the park, according to court documents.
Dickinson is charged with three counts of aggravated assault and battery and one count of being a minor in possession of alcohol for his alleged actions May 13 at a skate park next to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming.
Dickinson appeared in court with his attorney Timothy Cotton.
He wore orange jail clothing, his hair in a bun, and his hands and legs in chains as he listened to Judge Catherine Wilking outline the charges against him.
Wilking used initials to indicate the three girls that he’s accused of pointed a handgun toward. She asked him how we would plead.
“Not guilty,” he said.
Scott asked the judge to consider reducing Dickinson’s bond from $40,000 cash or surety due to his lack of a criminal record prior to these charges and the fact he has a wife and strong ties in the community.
The bond had already been reduced from $50,000.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars cash or surety would be more than enough to secure his presence in the court,” Scott argued, adding that the couple does not have a lot of resources.
Natrona County Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson noted Dickinson’s strong ties to the community but argued the charges against Dickinson merit a higher bond.
“It’s a combination of youth here, alcohol and a firearm,” he said.
Wilking said she believes the bond is “appropriately set” and “I will continue it.”
Drinking And A Gun
Court documents show that Dickinson was with a 20-year-old friend at the skate park in the 1700 block of East K Street at about 10:30 p.m. May 13. Both had been drinking.
The three girls knew Dickinson’s friend but did not know Dickinson, who allegedly asked them if they wanted to see his gun. They told him they did not, according to the police affidavit.
“Despite their protests, the male then proceeded to the driver door of his vehicle, removed what the trio perceived as a black 9 mm handgun, racked the slide of the firearm and pointed it ‘gangster style’ at all of them as they were seated in their car,” a police affidavit states. “The females feared for their life and thought the male was going to harm them or kill them. The male stated, ‘Get out of here’ while pointing the firearm at the girls.”
When police arrived, they tracked down Dickinson and his friend.
The affidavit states that Dickinson was “apprehensive and defensive” during questioning. His friend allowed police to search his car and admitted to possessing alcohol and having marijuana.
Police found two bottles of liquor, drug paraphernalia and 1.9 grams of suspected pot in the friend’s car, the affidavit states.
Dickinson then told police that he had a BB gun in his vehicle, and a search found a “highly realistic black” BB pistol, but there was no slide that could be racked.
He denied pointing a gun at the girls.
However, a continued search of his friend’s vehicle found a “1911-style semiautomatic handgun chambered in 10 mm.”
“The firearm was found to have a live round loaded in the chamber,” the affidavit states.
The affidavit states Dickinson then told police he had placed the firearm in Carlson’s car so that he had easier access to it if he needed it.
The three counts of aggravated assault and battery each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The minor in possession of alcohol charge carries penalty of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
