Bonners felon jailed 60 days for having gun

A Bonners Ferry man is getting 60 days in jail with work release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Neal A. Mouser, 46, who was sentenced on Tuesday, also will receive a two- to four-year suspended prison sentence, which means if he gets in violation greater than a speeding ticket he might have to serve the prison time. Mouser also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor unlawful taking of wildlife.

Charges of driving without privileges and shooting a firearm from a road were dismissed.

Without the plea agreement, Mouser could have served more than five years in prison and paid more than $5,000 in fines.

“You have a horrible past criminal history,” District Judge John P. Luster said to Luster. “You should count your lucky stars that you aren't going back to prison.”

He will be placed on three years probation and pay $600 in fines.