A Brodheadsville man, formerly of the Palmerton area, was sentenced to a county prison term on Thursday on a gun-pointing incident.

Norman G. Heft, 55, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve three to 12 months in the county prison on a charge of recklessly endangering another person. On a possession of drug paraphernalia charge, he was sentenced to one year probation, consecutive to the first count.Heft was arrested on Feb. 6, 2014, at his then residence at 90 Milton Drive, Towamensing Township. State police at Lehighton responded to the home for a report Heft was being robbed and there were people in his home.When troopers arrived no one was found in the home other than Heft. At the time troopers noted Heft appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.An investigation revealed that Heft pointed a shotgun at Donald Fritz and threatened to kill him.Heft previously appeared before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II who rejected the original plea agreement made with the district attorney's office. That plea bargain recommended a probation sentence be imposed.Nanovic said the REAP charge carries with it a deadly weapon enhancement provision under state sentencing guidelines.Nanovic also criticized the DA's office for making such a recommendation of probation considering the facts and the deadly weapon enhancement provision.On Thursday, defense counsel attorney Brett J. Riegel argued that Heft, the victim, and at least one other person, were at the home using drugs when he claimed the other two attempted to rob his client.He said Heft had no intention to use the weapon and argued that the state police did not conduct a ballistics report on the gun or indicate in their report if the gun was loaded at the time. He said the deadly weapon enhancement provisions were not met.District Attorney Jean A. Engler said there was no evidence of a ballistics report or if the gun was loaded at the time.Heft told Matika, "I made some bad choices. I'm willing to take whatever punishment you give me."Matika noted a presentence investigation report prepared by the adult probation office indicated Heft had a relapse from a drug addiction problem at the time of the incident. He has since sought out help for it.Matika said the enhancement provision should be applied in the case, adding that the court will take into consideration the argument concerning no ballistics report or if the gun was loaded.In addition to the jail term, Matika ordered Heft to attend and complete anger management counseling, continue his drug counseling program, get a mental health evaluation, zero tolerance imposed on D&A use, render 50 hours of community service after his release from prison, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and probation, and have no contact with the victim.Heft, who was given credit for 43 days spent in prison on the charge, will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on June 17.