West reaches agreement with prosecutors after originally pleading not guilty to assault charge

A Eureka man caught on surveillance camera clubbing another man in a local convenience store in December changed his plea in Lincoln County District Court on May 4.

Kenneth Lee West, 60, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of assault with a weapon. He changed his plea after striking a deal with prosecutors.

As part of the agreement, officials will recommend West serve 10 years behind bars for his role in the attack. The assault charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years and a $50,000 fine.

Authorities arrested West shortly after the Dec. 31 assault. According to affidavits, investigating Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies obtained surveillance footage detailing the attack.

Examining the video, investigators saw West walk up behind his victim with a club in his hand. The two apparently exchanged words and then West swung the club. The blow sent the other man spinning into a nearby shelf, court documents said.

The video captures the victim later stumbling out of the store with West on his heels, according to the affidavit.

A witness told authorities that she had seen West earlier in the day and the man appeared to be under the effect of methamphetamine.

In an interview with investigators, the victim, who admitted to using drugs with West in the past, said the Eureka resident had previously made threats against his life.

Detective Dan Holskey, who led the investigation for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, wrote in an affidavit that West had previous felony drug convictions. Since his latest release from detention, West again had been using and distributing drugs, Holskey wrote.

“West has a history of violence and appears to be getting more aggressive and violent over the past several months,” Holskey concluded in the affidavit.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 8.