TEMPE, AZ — Arizona’s former Corrections Director, accused of illegally firing a weapon and pointing a gun at officers, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge Tuesday.
Charles Ryan initially faced two felony charges related to a January 2022 gun incident at his Tempe home. Police initially arrived after a report that Ryan fired a gun inside. During an hours-long standoff, police body-camera footage also showed Ryan pointing a dark object, believed to be a gun, out the door toward officers.
To avoid trial later this month, Ryan, 73, pleaded 'no contest' to disorderly conduct, an undesignated offense that can later be categorized as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
According to court documents, the prosecution and defense agreed to a stipulated sentence of supervised probation. On January 11, Judge Geoffrey Fish will rule on Ryan’s sentence, which could be increased to a prison term up to two years. Ryan will also be ordered to pay fines and restitution, and the judge could require the former prison official to surrender weapons.
Related: Former DOC director Charles Ryan's case reveals imbalance of justice
After going over the details of the agreement, Judge Fish asked why Ryan’s no-contest plea Tuesday was in the best interest of justice.
“At the time this offense occurred, Mr. Ryan was heavily intoxicated due to alcohol consumption,” said Leslie LeMense, a prosecutor from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
According to the Tempe police report, Ryan had consumed half a bottle of tequila on the night he fired his gun and engaged in the police standoff.
“He has no specific recollection of the events,” said Craig Penrod, Ryan’s defense attorney, in court Tuesday.
In his written plea agreement, Ryan admitted to knowingly “disturb[ing] the peace of a neighborhood and law enforcement personnel by recklessly displaying a handgun.” Judge Fish explained the ‘no contest’ plea will result in a criminal conviction on Ryan’s record, although the court will determine whether that conviction will be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Video in the player above highlights ABC15's previous coverage of this case.
