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ELKINS -- A Randolph County man accepted a plea agreement to lower his felony assault charge to a misdemeanor in Randolph County Magistrate Court.
Buddy Allen Young, 50, last week pleaded guilty to second offense domestic assault or domestic battery, a misdemeanor. He was initially charged with third or subsequent offense domestic assault or domestic battery, a felony, in January.
Young was sentenced to one year in prison, with credit for time already served, and a fine of $500. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail. Young was represented by attorney Gregory Tingler.
"Yeah, I was hoping Greg came in here and worked out a better deal, but I'll take this one," Young told Randolph County Magistrate Court Judge Benjamin Shepler while signing the agreement.
"This is about as good a deal as you're going to take, Buddy," Shepler responded.
Shepler originally found probable cause in the case in a preliminary hearing on Jan. 28. Young was initially held on a $5,000 10% cash bond.
Before Young signed the plea agreement, Shepler reminded him that, due to the Lautenberg Amendment, he is not permitted to own a firearm, reside in a home where firearms or ammunition are present or ride in a vehicle where firearms or ammunition are present.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the Lautenberg Amendment "makes it a felony for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence such as an assault or attempted assault on a family member, to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition."