Former Arizona Corrections director pleads no contest in armed standoff with officers at his home

(14 Nov 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: POOL Phoenix – 14 November 2023 1. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Judge Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior Court: “I've been handed a plea in which you've agreed to plead guilty to count two as amended disorderly conduct, a Class six, a designated offense committed January six, 2022, non-dangerous and non repetitive under the Criminal Code. Is that what you want to do here today?” (Charles Ryan) “Yes, sir.” ++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++ 2. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Judge Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior Court: “If sentenced to prison, the presumptive is one year that could be reduced to four months or increased to two years. If you are sentenced to prison, you're subject to a term of community supervision equal to one seventh of that sentence. If that is violated, they'll bring you back and make you serve the rest of the sentence.” ++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++ 3. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Judge Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior: “So you understand when you plead guilty, you give up these rights.” (Charles Ryan) “I do.” (Judge Fish) “And you still wish to plead guilty and give these rights up? I'm sorry. No contest. I said it again. You understand that?” (Charles Ryan) “I plead no contest, yes sir.” (Judge Fish) “Alright.” ++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++ 4. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Judge Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior Court: “Then to the charge of count two as amended, disorderly conduct, a class six and designated offense committed January 6, 2022, Non-dangerous and non repetitive. How do you plead? No contest or not guilty?" (Charles Ryan) “I plead no contest.” (Judge Fish) “Has anyone forced you in any way to plead no contest? No, sir.” ++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++ 5. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Judge Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior Court: “Mr. Penrod, you believe a no contest plea is in the best interests of your client?” (Craig Penrod) “Yes, Your Honor. I've reviewed the evidence in the case. He has no specific recollection of the events, and so I think no contest is appropriate.” ++SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++ 6. Charles Ryan in court (center) UPSOUND (English) Geoffrey Fish, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge: “And Mr. Ryan, you understand whether you plead guilty or no contest, the result is you will have a felony conviction on your record. Do you understand that?” (Craig Penrod) “Or. Or a misdemeanor.” (Judge Fish) Well, but there is a chance he's going to have a felony conviction, right? It could be a felony or a misdemeanor. You understand that? (Charles Ryan) “I do.” (Judge Fish) Okay. And if you plead no contest, you'll be sentenced just as though you had pled guilty. Do you understand that?” (Charles Ryan) “I do.” (Judge Fish) “And you will, if that's in your best interest, to enter this no contest plea?” (Charles Ryan) I do. STORYLINE: Former Arizona Corrections Director Charles Ryan pleaded no contest Tuesday to disorderly conduct stemming from an encounter in which police say he fired a gun inside his Tempe home in early 2022 and pointed a firearm at two officers during a three-hour standoff. The maximum sentence Ryan, who retired as corrections director in September 2019, could receive is two years in prison. Ryan’s trial on charges of unlawful discharge of a firearm and disorderly conduct had been scheduled for Nov. 20. Sentencing is set for Jan. 11. Outside of court, Ryan declined to comment on his plea. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...