MADRAS — A man who held a Bend family at gunpoint on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 97 three years ago has been sentenced to nine months in jail after being found guilty on five counts of coercion.

Robert Eugene Metcalf, 45, of Turner, was sentenced to three consecutive 90-day jail terms Wednesday afternoon in Jefferson County Circuit Court by Judge Gary Lee Williams.

Metcalf spoke before his sentencing and said at the time of the incident he was acting in a state of delusion induced by a prescription drug intended to help him quit smoking.

He told the court he believed he was working undercover for police in a drug sting operation, that his cover had been compromised and his life was being threatened.

‘Paranoid delusion’

“I truly believed I was working for the police,” he said. “I truly believed I was going to be killed that very week. I was in a full state of paranoid delusion.”

The felony charges originally were filed after a Sept. 6, 2008, incident where Metcalf decided to make a citizen’s arrest on five people he believed to be part of a Mexican drug ring.

Metcalf used his vehicle to block U.S. Highway 97 and force a vehicle driven by Kevin Williams off the road. He then pulled a Ruger 9mm and began to threaten Williams, his wife, his two daughters and a family friend.

The Williams family refused to heed his demands, and Metcalf eventually left the scene before police arrived.

On Wednesday, Metcalf said upon reviewing the evidence of the case he knew he had acted inappropriately.

He petitioned the court to take into a account his reaction to the prescription drug, his continued rehabilitation through a veterans hospital and a local church, his clear criminal record since the incident and the testimony of family and friends.

Judge Williams, who said he has no relation to the victims in the case, declined to allow any testimony on Metcalf’s behalf, saying sentencing was being mandated as part of a plea agreement Metcalf reached with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in August.

As part of the agreement, Metcalf pleaded guilty to the five counts of coercion and the prosecution dropped two other counts of coercion, one count of unlawful use of a weapon against another, five counts of recklessly endangering another and one count of reckless driving.

As part of his sentencing Metcalf also faces five years of probation that would be converted to prison time if he does not fulfill certain conditions set upon his release.

Judge Williams said he felt the outcome was appropriate because of the level of terror he caused his victims, none of whom attended the sentencing.

Metcalf said he was remorseful for his actions and wanted to see a resolution to the case after reading an article in The Bulletin where one of his victims said she lives in fear of him showing up to her home.

“I want (the victims) to have the opportunity to heal as well,” he said.

“I’m extremely sorry. I’m horrified by the fact that I pulled a 9mm on this family. I truly believed at that time, in my mind, I was being hunted.”