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Jack Cheskaty
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — For the second time in 15 days, local prosecutors have put off a charging decision for a man accused of brandishing a handgun after Sarah Palin’s October rally at Suplizio Field.
Jack B. Cheskaty, 63, a Grand Junction resident and retired regional director of the Internal Revenue Service, is scheduled to return to court in December.
Deputy District Attorney Aaron Norris on Wednesday said two supervisors — including District Attorney Pete Hautzinger — have been out the office and unavailable to review the case.
Cheskaty’s attorney, former Mesa County District Attorney William Kain, told District Judge Brian Flynn he’s already discussed facts from Cheskaty’s arrest with senior prosecutors in the DA’s office.
Cheskaty was arrested Oct. 20 by Grand Junction police after an alleged heated verbal exchange with another driver in bumper-to-bumper traffic leaving Lincoln Park after Palin’s rally, according to an arrest affidavit.
Cheskaty and three family members were riding in a Chrysler when another driver in a Kia tried to merge into the same lane of slow-moving traffic.
“If you want to get ahead of me, you’ll have to deal with my insurance agency,” Cheskaty allegedly shouted.
The driver of the Kia reportedly replied, “I’ve got insurance too.”
The driver in the Kia alleged Cheskaty then displayed a handgun, “racked the slide” and held it over the steering wheel, the affidavit said.
A 14-year-old girl riding in the Kia said, “Dad, he’s got a gun,” while a female was heard yelling in Cheskaty’s car, “Knock it off.”
Those events were described to officers by the Kia’s driver — Cheskaty’s daughter-in-law told a nearly identical story to arresting officers, according to the affidavit.
Cheskaty later told officers the other driver was the aggressor and said he believed the Kia had hit his vehicle. He claimed he never raised the gun above the dashboard.
“When asked why Cheskaty pulled the handgun out Cheskaty stated ‘He wanted to be ready for anything,’” the affidavit said.
Cheskaty retired in 2004 as IRS regional director covering five states, including Colorado.
He walked out of jail after posting a $5,000 personal recognizance bond the day after his arrest.
Reach Paul Shockley at pshockley@gjfreepress.com
Jack B. Cheskaty, 63, a Grand Junction resident and retired regional director of the Internal Revenue Service, is scheduled to return to court in December.
Deputy District Attorney Aaron Norris on Wednesday said two supervisors — including District Attorney Pete Hautzinger — have been out the office and unavailable to review the case.
Cheskaty’s attorney, former Mesa County District Attorney William Kain, told District Judge Brian Flynn he’s already discussed facts from Cheskaty’s arrest with senior prosecutors in the DA’s office.
Cheskaty was arrested Oct. 20 by Grand Junction police after an alleged heated verbal exchange with another driver in bumper-to-bumper traffic leaving Lincoln Park after Palin’s rally, according to an arrest affidavit.
Cheskaty and three family members were riding in a Chrysler when another driver in a Kia tried to merge into the same lane of slow-moving traffic.
“If you want to get ahead of me, you’ll have to deal with my insurance agency,” Cheskaty allegedly shouted.
The driver of the Kia reportedly replied, “I’ve got insurance too.”
The driver in the Kia alleged Cheskaty then displayed a handgun, “racked the slide” and held it over the steering wheel, the affidavit said.
A 14-year-old girl riding in the Kia said, “Dad, he’s got a gun,” while a female was heard yelling in Cheskaty’s car, “Knock it off.”
Those events were described to officers by the Kia’s driver — Cheskaty’s daughter-in-law told a nearly identical story to arresting officers, according to the affidavit.
Cheskaty later told officers the other driver was the aggressor and said he believed the Kia had hit his vehicle. He claimed he never raised the gun above the dashboard.
“When asked why Cheskaty pulled the handgun out Cheskaty stated ‘He wanted to be ready for anything,’” the affidavit said.
Cheskaty retired in 2004 as IRS regional director covering five states, including Colorado.
He walked out of jail after posting a $5,000 personal recognizance bond the day after his arrest.
Reach Paul Shockley at pshockley@gjfreepress.com
