KANSAS CITY —A man on parole after being convicted in Kansas of Involuntary Manslaughter for killing his father in 2019. was convicted this week for a felony related to threatening two people with a knife, according to Jackson County prosecutor Melesa Johnson.
A Jackson County jury convicted 27-year-old Zachary Arnold, Independence, Mo. of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class E felony. The range of punishment for a Class E felony is imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not to exceed four years.
According to court records, Independence police responded to a park regarding an assault and contacted two victims who said Arnold was living at their residence and made several threats to harm them. The victims moved out of their residence as the defendant’s behavior became more erratic. When the victims visited their residence to feed their animals, the Arnold brandished a large silver bladed knife and pointed it at the victims.
“This verdict sends a clear message that Jackson County will not tolerate violent behavior, especially for those who were given a second chance and released early through the parole system,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “Let this also be a reminder that threatening someone with any weapon—even a knife—is a serious crime that can result in prison time. Our office remains committed to holding violent offenders accountable and keeping our community safe.”