Clinton County man faces attempted murder charges; allegedly tried to shoot deputy

A Clinton County man has been charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder and a host of other crimes after he allegedly tried to shoot at a Clinton County Sheriff’s Department detective.

According to court records, Gary T. Walthes, 37, of 303 S. Commercial St. in Albers, pointed a gun at Clinton County Detective Charlie Becherer March 11 and pulled the trigger.

Walthes was arraigned Monday in Clinton County Court.

Clinton County Sheriff Doug Maue said Tuesday the incident happened after Becherer, another detective and a deputy served a search warrant at Walthes’ home, because they believed he was growing marijuana plants there. Maue said a family member let the police into the home and directed them to Walthes’ bedroom. That’s when Walthes pointed a handgun at Becherer and pulled the trigger.

The gun did not fire, Maue said. He said the gun was loaded with a full magazine, but there was no round in the chamber.

Walthes was also charged with a count of armed violence, two counts of attempted aggravated battery, possession of cannabis sativa plants, obstructing justice, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the life of a child.

Court papers show three juveniles ages 16, 12 and 4 were residents of the house while Walthes allegedly carried on his grow operation.

When Walthes’ home was searched, he was written five tickets for taking a deer illegally. He allegedly had two deer skulls in his home and did not have a valid hunting license or a deer tag.

He also has an outstanding warrant for his arrest in St. Clair County where he has had 40 charges filed against him in the past 15 years including domestic violence, assault and drug counts.

Walthes’ bail was set at $750,000. If he makes bail, he is ordered to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and to be confined to his home.

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Clinton County man faces attempted murder charges; allegedly tried to shoot deputy."