November 18, 2020
Indiana

Modoc man charged with shooting at wind turbine workers

Douglas Walker | Muncie Star Press | Nov. 17, 2020 | www.thestarpress.com

WINCHESTER, Ind. – A Randolph County man is accused of firing gunshots in a bid to frighten workers installing wind turbines near his home.

David E. Oakerson, 45, of rural Modoc, was charged last week in Randolph Superior Court with criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison, and two misdemeanor counts of intimidation.

According to court documents filed by Randolph County Prosecutor David Daly’s office, two “windmill workers” installing turbines near Oakerson’s home, along Randolph County Road 600-W, reported he confronted them early in the morning of Nov. 10.

One of the men said a man later identified as Oakerson tried to force the door of his excavator open, then “started yelling and cussing” at him before returning to his nearby home.

A few minutes later, the men said, they saw the back-porch light turn on at Oakerson’s house, and then heard about six gunshots and “the bullets whizzing by them.”

The men took cover behind equipment and called their supervisor to come to the scene and help them.

As they were leaving the property, they said, two more gunshots were fired.

Oakerson’s trial has been scheduled for May 12. He was released from the Randolph County jail after posting a $500 cash bond.

Court records reflect the Modoc man was charged with criminal recklessness in 2008, but the charge was dismissed after he entered into a diversion agreement.

He has also been convicted of driving while intoxicated and driving while suspended.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/11/18/modoc-man-charged-with-shooting-at-wind-turbine-workers/