A Manning man accused of illegally possessing a firearm and threatening violence against family and law enforcement has been sentenced in Carroll County District Court. According to court records, 40-year-old Joseph Michael Bainbridge was arrested on March 19 by the Manning Police Department after an investigation found he had made threatening comments via text messages and Facebook Messenger. A search warrant executed at his home located a small handgun and small-caliber rifle, which Bainbridge was prohibited from possessing due to prior felony convictions. He was initially charged with two counts of control of a firearm by a felon, a class D felony, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor, and second-degree harassment, a serious misdemeanor. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Bainbridge pled guilty to one felony count and the harassment charge. A five-year prison sentence was suspended, and he was instead placed on probation with the Iowa Department of Corrections for five years. Associated fines and surcharges were also suspended.
