HUTCHINSON – A Kansas man arrested for alleged crimes involving the switching of an electric meter at his home entered a plea Monday to a single count of making a criminal threat, while the state dropped all the other charges.

Kerry Getz, 62, Hutchinson, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery causing reckless bodily harm and criminal damage to property.

On March 17 a sub-contracted employee of Westar Energy was replacing electrical meters on the houses in the Reno County.

Getz apparently became angry and began arguing with the Westar worker, Carter Coulter, who then fled to his truck for safety.

Getz then allegedly followed him in his own vehicle and blocked in the Coulteur’s vehicle and ultimately forced the Westar vehicle from the road

In one of the verbal exchanges, he made the comment to the Westar employee that he had a weapon and may have to use it.

Coulteur was able to escape with no injuries.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 8,