Suspended sentence for Garner man accused of firing handgun at moving vehicle

GARNER — A Garner man accused of firing a handgun at a moving vehicle last year has been given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

The Garner Police Department says on the afternoon of January 14th of last year, an officer was on patrol and observed a male subject firing one round from a handgun in the direction of a moving pickup truck that was occupied by three people. The round struck the side of the truck, but there were no injuries.

39-year-old Michael Marciniak was arrested on one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Marciniak pleaded guilty in January to going armed with intent, a Class D felony.

According to the plea agreement, prosecutors recommended a suspended five year prison sentence and five years probation, a recommendation District Judge DeDra Schroeder agreed with when sentencing Marciniak on Tuesday in Hancock County District Court.