UPDATE: Rigby physician assistant goes to jail in abuse case - East Idaho News
Crime Watch

UPDATE: Rigby physician assistant goes to jail in abuse case

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UPDATE:

Paul Ziel, the attorney representing Michael Barbo, issued the following statement on his behalf of his client Friday:

After much prayer and consideration, Mr. Barbo made the decision to enter into an Alford plea regarding an incident which occurred between him and his ex-wife on October 10, 2014. Mr. Barbo has continuously maintained that he was not the aggressor, and in fact, that he attempted to retreat from the altercation. By entering into an Alford plea, Mr. Barbo did not admit guilt; rather he acknowledged that there was a possibility a jury could have believed his ex-wife’s version of events had this case proceeded to trial.

The public should be aware that Mr. Barbo was never found in possession of any illegal substances. At sentencing, the district court judge noted that he viewed the controlled substance allegations as “distractions” and gave no weight to such allegations.

Mr. Barbo received a withheld judgment at sentencing meaning he is not considered to be a convicted felon in the eyes of the law. Mr. Barbo is eligible to have a complete dismissal of this case in approximately 2.5 years.

Mr. Barbo cares deeply for his community and appreciates the outpouring of support he has received. He looks forward to putting this behind him and serving in the community again.

ORIGINAL STORY

RIGBY — A Rigby physician assistant accused of taking medication prescribed to a patient and attacking his wife will serve 45-days in jail.

On Thursday, June 2, Michael Barbo appeared in District Court in Jefferson County before Judge Pickett for sentencing on a charge of felony domestic violence.

Pickett sentenced Barbo to 45 days of local jail time with the last 15 days being eligible for work release. In addition, Barbo was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and five years formal probation. Barbo was also given 180 days of discretionary time, meaning if he should violate the terms of his probation, he could be ordered to serve the 180 days.

Barbo must also complete a 52-week domestic violence class. If Barbo completes all the requirements of the sentencing satisfactorily, he will receive a withheld judgment.

Barbo entered an Alford plea to the one felony domestic battery charge as part of an agreement signed April 14.

A grand jury had originally indicted Barbo on four felonies: two attempted strangulation charges, one domestic battery charge and one possession of a controlled substance charge. Special Prosecutor for Jefferson County Sid Brown agreed to have four of the charges dismissed. And Bonneville County Prosecutor Daniel Clark agreed not to pursue charges against Barbo for undisclosed crimes that are alleged to have occurred in Bonneville County.

According to court records, the case began in October 2014 when the Jefferson County deputies and Rigby police officers responded to Barbo’s home for a domestic disturbance. Policed noted in their reports that when they arrived a woman, who was later identified as Barbo’s wife, was seen to be in extreme distress. She had blood on her clothing and arms, and redness on her face, arms, neck and legs. Also noted was a bruised and swollen eye. Police also said they observed damage throughout the home.

That night the victim told police about some medication she believed her husband had been taking. Police later discovered a bottle of Aderall with the prescribed person’s name scratched off. Police discovered the medication belonged to a regular patient of Barbo’s. The owner of the medication told police that on one occasion she was prescribed a strength not regular to her. She brought the full bottle of medication back to Barbo, who said he would dispose of it and provided her with a new prescription.

When police found the medication, it was about half empty.

According to court documents, Barbo was also originally charged in connection with another domestic incident that occurred in September 2014.

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