Man who threatened police with axe handle sentenced to jail.

Alejandro Salazar with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — A 31-year-old Mears man who confronted police with a fiberglass axe handle and a 12-inch butcher knife last April was sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Wednesday, July 6, to serve nine months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term.

Alejandro Joseph Salazar, of 3511 N. Ridge Rd., pleaded guilty last May to one count of felonious assault. A second count of felonious assault was dismissed in a plea agreement.

Salazar was tased by police after threatening them and asking officers to shoot him, previously stated Lt. Craig Mast of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to Salazar’s residence, where they responded to a family disturbance. “There were several household items strewn about the yard, and there appeared to be a disturbance in progress,” Mast said.

Salazar approached the deputies, armed with a fiberglass axe handle, after exiting the house. He displayed the axe handle in an “aggressive manner,” the lieutenant said. “They told him to drop the weapon and come forward and talk to them,” Mast said. Salazar then retreated inside the house for a short period of time and came back outside with a butcher knife and the axe handle, continuing to act aggressively and threatening the officers.

Deputies then deployed a taser, and Salazar began to retreat, Mast said. A Michigan State Police trooper then arrived on scene and deployed his taser on Salazar. He was then taken to the ground and placed in custody.

Salazar’s attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz, said her client, who has “a long history of depression,” was attempting suicide and not trying to harm others. “It was not an act of aggression toward police,” Springstead Waltz said.

“You created an extremely dangerous situation for police,” Judge Anthony A. Monton said to Salazar. Monton urged Salazar to seek help for his mental issues. “Try to reach out and get as much mental help that you can get,” the judge advised.

Salazar received credit for 87 days served in jail. He was also sentenced to two years probation; must not use alcohol or drugs; and must submit to a psychological examination and undergo any mental health treatment recommended by his probation officer.