A family argument that devolved into an armed altercation in Powell last fall is set to result in no criminal convictions.

Edmund A. Drew, who turns 51 this year, was originally charged with a felony count of aggravated assault for threatening his son-in-law with an unloaded gun. However, the Park County Attorney’s Office recently agreed to reduce it to a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment — and to dismiss the case altogether if Drew completes a year of unsupervised probation.

The case stemmed from an Oct. 12 argument at Drew’s Lane 9 residence, just outside Powell city limits. The dispute, between Drew and his adult son-in-law, reportedly escalated into a physical altercation that involved the son-in-law throwing Drew to the ground.

Charging documents say Drew eventually retrieved an unloaded pistol, used it to break out a window in his son-in-law’s truck and pointed it at the man’s head.

“Shoot me,” the son-in-law reportedly responded.

After Drew pulled the trigger on the bullet-less weapon, the son-in-law sped off, hitting two other vehicles in the process, charging documents say. Drew’s young grandchild was also in the truck and in a statement read at Tuesday’s sentencing, the son-in-law said the child still vividly remembers staring down the barrel of Drew’s gun. He described Drew’s actions as a “mock execution."

The son-in-law previously attributed the incident to brain injuries Drew suffered years earlier, saying in October that his father-in-law needed medical care rather than jail time. After hearing those concerns, Park County Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah had ordered a mental evaluation, which found Drew was competent.

Drew served 11 days in jail before posting a $25,000 surety bond in late October.

While Drew is prohibiting from having contact with his son-in-law during the probation, Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Laura Newton and Darrah did not endorse the son-in-law’s request to also bar contact with the grandchild.

Newton mentioned that, following the October altercation, Drew actually obtained a no trespass order of his own that bars his son-in-law and family from Drew’s property.

“So this, from the get-go, has been a very interesting civil matter between all of them,” Newton said.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Drew pleaded no contest to reckless endangerment, but a finding of guilt was deferred. A separate misdemeanor count of property destruction was dismissed.

Drew also agreed to pay $200 to the court and $556.56 in restitution for the broken truck window.

Judge Darrah said he believed the deal was a good resolution for the case. He also cautioned Drew to “use a little common sense not to stir the pot” when it comes to having any contact with his estranged family members while on probation.

“These family dynamics can really lead to some things,” the judge said.