A suspected bootlegger accused of shooting a village police officer last week in the Northwest Arctic village of Buckland was indicted on nine counts Friday by a grand jury in Kotzebue.
Gary Ballot, 40, of Buckland was indicted with attempted murder, first degree assault, five counts of third degree assault, alcohol importation, and second degree escape, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Ballot allegedly shot village police officer Lorin B. Geary on July 26 after Geary approached Ballot's boat as it pulled up to a beach in Buckland, a community of about 400 people 75 miles southeast of Kotzebue. Geary had surgery and is expected to recover.
Geary suspected Ballot was bringing alcohol into Buckland, a community that voted to ban its sale and importation, according to troopers. Geary was acting on an anonymous tip, troopers said.
Troopers said Ballot arrived with 7.5 liters of distilled spirits, 18.825 gallons of a malt beverage and 5.25 liters of wine.
Ballot is being held at the Kotzebue Regional Jail on a $250,000 bail.
By Anchorage Daily News/ adn.com