A Carson City man who brandished a weapon at officers forcing them to open fire pleaded guilty Tuesday to three charges, including assault on a police officer, and is facing 18 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Richard Lee Strickland, 30, was arrested at 2:45 p.m. Jan. 18 after a Carson City Sheriff's Department detective chased him down in a field near East Roland Street.
Strickland ran from 320 Clear Creek Road when officers seeking a potential suspect in a theft case knocked on the door.
When confronted after being chased by Carson City Detective Mike Cullen, Strickland drew a .38 caliber Taurus five-shot revolver from his waistband and pointed it directly at the officer.
Cullen fired three times, hitting a nearby car, according to Chief Deputy Scott Burau.
Strickland did not return fire and was taken into custody without incident.
He also pleaded guilty to ex-felon in possession of a firearm and felony destruction of jail property.
On Feb. 20, while in custody on the first offense, Strickland removed a stool bolted to the cell floor, broke a metal handle from a mop bucket, shattered safety glass in a window and dug several holes in the cement block surrounding the window.
He will be sentenced May 28.