Nora Springs man pleads guilty to weapons charge

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Nora Springs man who was charged with allegedly shooting at a person has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of going armed with intent in return for two other felony charges being dismissed and a recommendation for a deferred judgment.

Robert Dean Fulk, age 35, was arrested in December 2022 and charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon with the intent to injure or provoke fear or anger, a Class C felony; first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor; and going armed with intent, a Class D felony.

According to records filed in Floyd County District Court, another Nora Springs man reported that in November 2022, Fulk was at the man’s residence and shot at him. He said that Fulk shot at the vehicle that the man was in and also “fired a round between his feet,” then pointed the gun at him.

The man was not injured during the incident, the report says, but he was in fear for his safety.

The man also reported that later that month Fulk harassed him by text messages, stating he was going to kill the man.

Fulk had been scheduled to begin trial on the three charges last Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Floyd County District Court, but on that day he filed a written plea of guilty to the armed with intent charge.

In addition to dismissing the two other charges, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office agreed to recommend that the judge grant Fulk a deferred judgment on the armed with intent charge, that he be placed on three to five years of probation and be required to pay all fees, court costs and surcharges.

A deferred judgment in Iowa means the defendant pleads guilty, but the judge defers judgment and sentencing and sets up conditions such as probation that the defendant must meet.

If the defendant successfully completes all the conditions, the judge will dismiss the case and seal the records, meaning the defendant’s public record will not show the charges or a conviction. The court maintains access to the records in case the defendant is charged with a criminal offense in the future.

The judge retains the power to enter a judgment of guilty and impose a sentence if the deferment conditions are not met.

Judge Blake Norman accepted Fulk’s guilty plea and set sentencing for Nov. 13 in Floyd County District Court.