WEST COVINA - A Baldwin Park man accused of shooting at his neighbor's barking dog was sentenced last week to six years in state prison.Carleton Raye States, 31, was convicted on Oct. 5 of one count each of child abuse, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence and having a concealed firearm. Jurors, who deliberated just over a day, also found true an allegation that the defendant personally used a firearm. West Covina Superior Court Judge Douglas Sortino imposed States' prison sentence at a morning hearing. The charges stem from an incident on May 25 during which the child victim was playing outside of her home with her dog "Smalls," a female Terrier mix. The dog began barking in response to taunts from States at which point he drew a handgun, prompting the girl to run inside her home. States went on to fire a round at the dog, causing the animal to run inside. Authorities said States then followed the child and her pet inside the home, pointed a gun at the girl, who was holding the dog in her lap, and threatened to shoot the animal. Officers of the Baldwin Park Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Wynn.

********** Published: December 15, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 35