A Cedartown man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to shooting a man in the face with a sawed-off shotgun after an argument over a parking space.
Joseph Henry Penson, a 38-year-old ex-convict, faces up to 10 years in prison after accepting a plea agreement in the assault, which occurred in May 2011.
According to federal prosecutors, Pensons’ vehicle was blocking a parking space that the victim, who was not identified, wanted to use. The two men argued and Penson left, returning after a short while with a 12-gauge Mossberg sawed-off shotgun.
Prosecutors said he shot the victim in the face and neck, but the victim survived.
Because of Penson’s previous convictions, which included aggravated assault and drug offenses, he was prohibited from having firearms. In addition to prison, Penson could be fined up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 30.
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