Ex-marshal given probation for detaining inspector
A former Colorado Springs city marshal who drew his gun on a roof inspector while off duty was placed on probation after pleading guilty this week to felony menacing.
Scott Alan Lanner, 46, was charged with felony menacing and a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment for detaining Patrick J. Wilson at gunpoint in August because he thought he looked suspicious.
Wilson was working in the area, off Couch Place in Widefield, as a roofing inspector for Claim Specialists International of Colorado Springs.
According to an El Paso County sheriff's arrest affidavit, Lanner had just finished mowing his lawn when he decided to check on two men who were walking door-to-door in brightly colored vests. Wilson was wearing a laminated identification card and showed Lanner paperwork from his company.
Lanner drew his pistol and ordered him to get out of the car, handcuffed him and searched him.
Something about the men triggered Lanner's "policeman spidey sense," Lanner told investigators.
"Lanner was not able to articulate any suspicious activity, reasonable suspicion or probable cause for a stop or drawing his weapon during that stop," Detective Cliff Porter wrote in the affidavit.
Lanner pleaded guilty Monday after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, who dropped the false imprisonment charge. He could have faced up to three years in prison if convicted at trial.
Fourth Judicial District Judge David Gilbert sentenced him to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service and required him to write a letter of apology to Wilson, according to court records. If Lanner successfully completes his probation, the conviction will be erased from his record.
"Scott made a decision and said that his police training kicked in," said his attorney Allen Gasper. "Having thought about it since then, he said it wasn't the right decision."
Gasper denied that Lanner thought Wilson was acting suspiciously because he is black.
"This was an unfortunate set of circumstances," Gasper said.
Lanner has since resigned as a city marshal.
