MONROE — Prosectors want to drop the most serious terroristic threat charges against an area combat veteran who last summer allegedly waited in a checkout line with his daughter before telling a cashier he could shoot up the superstore.

But Casey O. Ford, 41, of Monroe, never acted on his words back early on Aug. 1, the day of the incident. Yet he still faces potentially years in prison on a primary charge of making terrorist threats with a use of a dangerous weapon modification — despite a request from prosecutors that the charges be dropped in favor of an agreement calling for counseling and other measures.

It is a rare thing to see in criminal court for anything resembling a violent crime.

“The Stipulation advances the public interest in requiring that the Defendant continue to engage in counseling, structured towards his needs as a combat veteran, and remain a law-abiding citizen,” said District Attorney Craig Nolen, in a Jan. 16 letter to Green County Circuit Judge Faun M. Phillipson.

At least two cashiers allegedly heard the threats, with the main victim being the cashier who checked out the man and his daughter, said a criminal complaint. At one point in the exchange the cashier/victim tried to ignore the man, but he continued with his alleged threats, making her afraid he would return and act. 

“I had a male customer who said the world needs to be less populated and he was gonna lessen the population and come in and kill us all,” said one of the victims, in the court document. 

But Nolen said the critical issue — of the defendant getting mental health assistance — would not be served by his being incarcerated. Ford has no other criminal record in Green County, records indicate.

 “The denial of the State’s motion would place the State in the position of proceeding to trial on a charge that may result in the acquittal of the Defendant at trial, resulting in no rehabilitation of the Defendant,” said Nolen in his letter to the court. “The State believes that prosecutorial discretion and judicial economy are better served by focusing on the rehabilitation of the defendant, while permitting the State to re-file charges if such rehabilitation fails in the future.”

The state sought the dismissal — and was denied — during a hearing on January 21. His next court appearance was set for Tuesday, Feb. 24 in Phillipson’s court.

If the charges remain unmodified and Ford is eventually convicted, he faces a maximum of three years, six months in state prison — with another four years possible with the threatening to use a dangerous weapon enhancement added to the charges.