Drunk driver accused of accosting another motorist with a gun sentenced

A drunk driver accused of flashing a gun at another motorist over the summer earned suspended and partially suspended sentences in Flathead County District Court earlier this month. 

Judge Heidi Ulbricht handed down a suspended six-month jail sentence to Del Thomas Russon, 55, for misdemeanor assault and a one-year jail sentence with all but 30 days suspended for a misdemeanor drunk driving charge. Russon received credit for four days of time served and was ordered to pay $2,750 in court fines and fees. 

Russon initially pleaded not guilty to a felony assault with a weapon charge and misdemeanor drunk driving charge after his July 3 arrest. He changed his plea in October after reaching a deal with prosecutors that saw the charges amended.