LOGAN — A plea agreement has been reached for three of the five adults who threatened and harassed a Box Elder County family at a campsite in Blacksmith For Canyon in May 2018. The three men and two women are 22-year-old Wyatt D. Pack, 43-year-old Cory B. Durney and 40-year-old Rikki J. Durney, all from Tremonton; along with 23-year-old Braxton J. Haderlie of North Ogden; and 22-year-old Samara L. Nielsen of Harrisville.
All of them appeared in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. Rikki Durney, Haderlie and Nielsen each pleaded “no contest” to an amended count of attempted riot, a class A misdemeanor. As part of the agreement, the remaining charges against them were dropped and their pleas are being held in abeyance for one year. If they have no criminal charges filed against them during that time, they will avoid any jail time.
In addition, defense attorney Matthew Bartlett explained that as part of the plea agreement, each of the three defendants agreed to pay a $500 fine, complete cultural sensitivity training and write a letter of apology to the victim.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck told the three defendants that they had been given a gift, in the form of their plea deals. She explained that she expected them follow through with the terms of their pleas, saying that they owe something to the victim and the community for how they acted.
On May 25, 2018 the Caballero family, from Box Elder County, had vehicle trouble while towing a trailer in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. They found a pull out where they called for help to tow their disabled truck and their camper.
The Caballeros happened to be in a spot on public land where the defendants had already placed their trailer, ahead of a planned Memorial Day camping trip. As the family waited for help, the group arrived at the campsite.
A video showed Pack yelling at the Caballeros and demanding they move their truck. He was seen berating the family, at one point asking if the father was deaf and demanding he move the truck immediately. He swore repeatedly and at one point said he would move the truck for $40.
Pack eventually towed the disabled truck down the canyon and a friend arrived to tow the trailer away from the campsite.
During Monday’s court appearance, Bartlett said he was still working out plea agreements for the two other defendants, Pack and Cory Durney. He asked the court for more time so prosecutors can speak with the victim again.
Judge Fonnesbeck said she would allow the two remaining cases to be continued. She ordered them to appear again January 7.
will@cvradio.com