The Summit County Attorney office has dropped its prosecution of a local resident, who was arrested for damaging an exit gate last winter, shortly after a new parking permit system started at Park City's China Bridge.
The county reports the defendants has met all the conditions of an informal agreement. His attorney says the vandalism was an accident.
Last Monday in Third District Court, Judge Patrick Corum dismissed a charge of Criminal Mischief, a Class A Misdemeanor, against 29-year-old Michael McGuire. The charge was dismissed "with prejudice" meaning it cannot be brought back.
The original charging documents say that last February 1st, officers found that the exit gate on China Bridge's Level 2N was found damaged and hanging to the ground. Officers said that McGuire's vehicle was observed approaching the gate. A male passenger held up the gate, breaking it, which allowed McGuire to exit. McGuire later told officers he had lost his parking stub.
Park City staff reported that damage to the gate was between $500 to $1,000.
McGuire's defense attorney, Edward Stone, plead Not Guilty and told KPCW the damage was unintentional.
County Attorney Margaret Olson said that due to the circumstances and the defendant's lack of a criminal record, both sides made an informal agreement. McGuire paid full restitution to the city, submitted a letter of apology and completed 20 hours of community service at the recycling center.
