The mayor of Joliet, Dakota Zachariah Mitchem, who also holds the position of the town’s Postmaster, is facing a felony assault charge. The charge was filed in Carbon County District Court on Monday.
According to court records, the charge is related to an incident that occurred on Sunday at a residence on Second Street in Joliet. Two Carbon County sheriff’s deputies reported interviewing a woman in response to a call about a domestic disturbance at the mentioned residence. The woman claimed that Mitchem had threatened her with a handgun, placing it under her chin and uttering the words, “I have the kids.”
Mitchem had a preliminary appearance in Joliet City Court on Monday. An arraignment hearing is pending in Carbon County District Court, and the scheduling of this hearing is yet to be determined. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.