A Casper man appeared in Natrona County District Court on Friday and did not contest allegations that he attacked a witness in an ongoing drug investigation in December. 

Shane Mitchell Patrick pleaded no contest to a single count of witness intimidation. A no-contest plea means the accused does not dispute the charges. For sentencing purposes, a judge would treat it as a guilty plea.

Patrick also entered guilty pleas to two counts of delivery of methamphetamine as part of an agreement with prosecutors. In exchange, the state will ask that Patrick serve no more than five years behind bars.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the witness told police that Patrick approached them at 1:30 a.m. in the casino area of Galloway's Irish Pub and accused them of wearing a wire and being a police informant. Patrick then violently shoved the witness, causing their head to strike a door.

The witness ran out and, had a bystander not intervened, Patrick likely would have continued his assault on the witness.

In a telephone call from the jail, which was recorded, Patrick told another man that if he sees the witness he should "on-sight" the witness, meaning assault the witness.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

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