Monterey Shooting Suspect Pleads Guilty, Will Serve Months In Jail

A Monterey man charged last year with shooting at his girlfriend as she sat in her SUV will serve months in jail after pleading guilty in the firearms assault.

Charles “Chuck” H. Smith, age 56, entered guilty pleas of shooting into an occupied vehicle and destruction of property charges, both of which are felonies.

During the Jan. 14^th plea hearing, Highland County Circuit Judge Edward K. Stein sentenced Smith to 10 years for the shooting into an occupied vehicle charge. He then suspended all but one year.

In addition, the judge sentenced Smith to a one-year suspended sentence for the destruction of property conviction.

Stein also ordered Smith to stay out of trouble for 10 years and remain alcohol and drug free. Smith must also complete a substance abuse in-house treatment program in Salem upon his release and remain on probation for 5 years.

Because Smith has been held without bond since his June 23 arrest, which followed a 44-day run from the law, he likely will serve less than six months in jail with credit for time served.

Smith also entered guilty pleas to four misdemeanor charges, including possession of a firearm after a family assault and battery, reckless handling of a firearm, shooting a weapon along or across a public road and assault and battery with a family member. He received suspended 1-year sentences for three counts, while being ordered to pay a $250 fine for the fourth.

Highland Commonwealth Attorney Megan Yelen said she was pleased with the outcome of the case, despite the short amount of time Smith will spend in jail.

It would have been difficult to go to trial, Yelen said, citing “how uncooperative the victim was.”

Smith’s girlfriend, Sherry Wolf, the victim and only witness to the shooting, was “unwilling to testify consistently,” Yelen added.

The May 10^th shooting set off a series of events that saw Smith eluding capture for 44 days and Wolf – the shooting victim- facing misdemeanor charges of accessory after the fact and giving comfort to him while he was on the run.

Investigators say the shooting occurred after a domestic dispute, during which Wolfe fled in her SUV, heading east on Route 250 from Monterey.

Smith gave chase and the dispute continued when Wolf stopped along Route 250 in the Crab Run area about 9 a.m. Smith damaged Wolf’s SUV before shooting at her several times as she sat in her vehicle.

Wolf, who escaped injury, fled in her SUV and called 911 to report the shooting.

Smith was arrested June 23 by sheriffs deputies and U.S. Marshals at his Monterey home, ending his run from the law.

Five days later, Wolf was charged with five misdemeanor accessory counts. Those charges were nolle prosed by Yelen on Sept.14^th.

At the end of the Jan. 14^th hearing, Wolfe, who was seated in the front row behind the defense table, asked Smith if he was okay.

Smith, reaching out to touch her hand, said yes. He then leaned in closer and kissed Wolf on her forehead.