A Lehighton man who pointed a gun at two disabled motorists near his home was placed on probation Monday after pleading guilty to a charge of persistent disorderly conduct.

Rickey Nelson Haydt, 59, was charged by Franklin Township police for an incident on March 17 at near his home along Indian Hill Road. Police said two motorists stopped along the road due to problems. Haydt came out of his home pointing a gun at them and demanding to know why they were there.

He then told them he would “shoot” the lights out of their vehicles.

Haydt claimed he thought they were there to rob him. His defense counsel, attorney Michael E. Miller, said alcohol was a contributing factor in the incident.

In exchange for the plea, two counts each of recklessly endangering another person and simple assault were dropped in a plea deal with the DA’s office.

Judge Joseph J. Matika placed Haydt on probation for a year and ordered him to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, render 50 hours of community service, have no contact with the victims, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee.