Former Kern Valley prison guard gets probation in road-rage case
A former state prison guard convicted of pointing a loaded handgun fitted with a laser sight at a motorist during a 2014 road rage incident in Paso Robles avoided jail time and instead received probation.
San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Roger Picquet on Wednesday sentenced Anthony James Behrens, 53, a former guard at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, to three years of formal probation after Behrens was convicted by a jury Aug. 7 of brandishing a weapon at a person in a motor vehicle, a felony, and unlawful laser activity, a misdemeanor.
Behrens, of Springville, also was sentenced to one day in County Jail, with credit for one day served.
On July 27, 2014, Behrens was a correctional sergeant at the prison and a 17-year veteran of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation when he was riding in the backseat of a Toyota Prius driven by his 20-year-old daughter eastbound on Highway 46 headed toward the San Joaquin Valley. Also in the car were his wife and 13-year-old niece.
At about 6:42 p.m., a Ford Expedition carrying a couple and their two children, ages 11 and 8, passed the Prius on the left and merged in front of it. The Prius then passed the Expedition on the right and pulled in front of it just before a passing lane ended.
The driver of the Prius then “brake-checked” the Expedition several times and the Expedition, driven by Ronald Fryer, then allegedly tailgated the Prius.
Behren’s wife began taking cell phone photos of the Expedition, and in response, Fryer’s wife began taking pictures of the Prius, according to the California Highway Patrol.
At some point, Anthony Behrens pulled out a loaded .40-caliber Springfield pistol and pointed its laser sight at the Expedition.
The Fryers backed off and called the police.
“I really thought I was defending my family when I brandished a gun,” Behrens reportedly told CHP officers. “I am a good family man, and working in corrections I see a lot of crazy stuff, and I over-reacted.”
Behrens’ attorney, Ilan Funke-Bilu, said supporters sent 65 letters to the judge on Behrens’ behalf and attended the sentencing.
According to a motion filed in court, Behrens is a former prison nurse who once saved the life of a bleeding inmate. Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Sessa said Behrens resigned from the department shortly after his arrest.
This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Former Kern Valley prison guard gets probation in road-rage case."