Standoff suspect convicted of gross misdemeanors
Published 9:30 am Wednesday, June 12, 2013
An Austin man who reportedly pointed a loaded shotgun at his own chin while standing off with police one year ago was sentenced Monday in Mower County Court.
Joshua Mark Hatleli, 27, was convicted of terroristic threats and domestic assault. Both convictions were deemed gross misdemeanors. A felony charge for fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle, a second gross misdemeanor domestic assault charge and gross misdemeanor possession of firearms by user of a controlled substance were all dismissed. Hatleli was placed on two years’ supervised probation and fined $300.
Police received a call from the victims June 2, 2012, who said Hatleli damaged a door. Hatleli returned to the home and then made threatening remarks while holding a shotgun, according to the court complaint. One victim said Hatleli removed the gun from its case and left in his car. According to the complaint, Hatleli threatened the victims over the phone, as well. The victims told police that Hatleli said he was going to Marcusen Park and added he would never be seen by any of them again. Police later found Hatleli driving and followed him to Marcusen Park with their emergency lights on.
According to the complaint, Hatleli sat in the front seat of his car with a shotgun, chambered a shell and pointed the gun to his chin. After 12-minutes of negotiating, officers convinced Hatleli to surrender. The shotgun was loaded with six rifled slugs — one in the chamber. Hatleli admitted to Police he was stressed out and smoked cocaine the previous night, according to the complaint.