Who's bad? Apparently John Ernest Cross. He forced another man to "moonwalk" at gunpoint, the Bonner County Daily Bee reports.
Idaho sheriff's deputies arrived at Cross' home after receiving a report that the 30-year-old was on drugs. Cross was allegedly holding a rifle at a man while demanding him to do Michael Jackson's iconic dance move.
So what does one get for forcing someone to pay tribute to Jacko at gunpoint?
A pretty freaking serious felony charge, that's what. Cross was arrested for aggravated assault. His bail is currently set at $20,000.
Most states define aggravated assault as either assault with a deadly weapon or assaulting an officer. Idaho is no different. But when someone is accused of the former, for a conviction to stick, it has to be shown a deadly weapon was actually used.
Cross claims he was only holding a pellet gun at the victim. However, deputies accuse him of using an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle.
Quite the difference, but it's also one that might just reduce Cross' third degree felony charge to a misdemeanor. That'd be great news for him.
Under Idaho law, a misdemeanor conviction could net Cross a year imprisonment at the most. On the other hand, a felony conviction could land him up to 5 years.
It's also worth noting under Idaho law and the federal National Firearms Act, it's illegal to possess an unregistered gun. And under the Brady Act, ex-felons imprisoned for more than a year can't have one either.
While the investigation is still ongoing, one thing is for sure: Moonwalking at gunpoint ruins the fun of moonwalking.
Related Resources:
- Man Forced To Moonwalk At Gunpoint; John Cross Accused Of Demanding Michael Jackson Move (The Huffington Post)
- Bubbles & Michael Jackson vs. Travis the Chimp & Sandra Herold (FindLaw's Injured)
- Conrad Murray Sentenced to 4 Years (FindLaw Blotter)
- Aggravated Assault (FindLaw)