SUBLETTE COUNTY – A “very paranoid” Pinedale man who told Sublette County dispatchers on Oct. 12 that snipers were trying to shoot him faces a new felony drug possession charge as well as possible probation revocation.

That day, John E. Handy was on court-ordered unsupervised probation after recently reaching a plea agreement for one felony charge of delivery of THC oil wax “dabs” and a third misdemeanor THC possession charge. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to five to seven years in prison, suspended for a 30-day jail sentence and three years unsupervised probation.

Deputies who talked with Handy Oct. 12 said he was hiding behind clothing and items in his truck and had called the sheriff’s office for protection. As Handy got out of his truck to get into a deputy’s car for protection, he was quickly searched and the deputy found an uncapped used syringe with liquid in it that tested presumptive positive for meth, according to court records.

Although the liquid was less than the felony amount of 3 grams, Handy’s prior possession convictions led to a new enhanced felony charge.

Handy’s arraignment on the new drug charge is set for 9 a.m., Nov. 18, in 9th District Court. His probation revocation hearing is scheduled to follow his arraignment.

Judge Marv Tyler had warned Handy at his sentencing that another possession misdemeanor could result in the felony. If he violated terms of his unsupervised probation, Handy could be ordered to report for imprisonment.