NORWICH – Former part-time corrections officer, U.S. Marine and Iraq War veteran Edward J. Knuth Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of second degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon – a class D felony – in county court yesterday and will serve a one year interim probation prior to being sentenced.

On July 31, Knuth was charged with second degree criminal possession of a weapon – a class C felony – and first degree unlawful imprisonment – a class E felony – following an alleged domestic dispute which occurred on July 30. At that time, he was accused of detaining, choking and threatening his girlfriend while armed with a loaded .380 automatic Diamondback pistol, with which he did “intentionally hit his girlfriend in the forehead,” according to the plea deal. Knuth was also charged with a trio of class A misdemeanors following the incident: third degree assault, second degree menacing and criminal obstruction of breathing.

Even if Knuth successfully completes the one year interim probation, he could still face up to five years probation when sentenced on Nov. 9, 2012, although the county’s district attorney’s office could potentially withdraw that option and place the former corrections officer on misdemeanor probation. If he were to fail or violate the terms of his interim probation, Knuth could face up to seven years in state prison, with three years post release supervision.