Man accused of using slingshot-type weapon against police takes plea deal

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield man who allegedly used a slingshot-type weapon to hurl objects at police pleaded no contest on Friday to two felonies.

Francisco Monge, 45, pleaded no contest to recklessly evading and resisting peace officers and was sentenced to three years in prison, court records show. An assault charge was dismissed.

Police said they were performing a routine traffic stop on Monge in July when he got out of the vehicle and started throwing objects at them using what police called a “Balearic-style slingshot” — a weapon used by hunters and warriors as far back as the 4th century B.C.

An officer fired twice at Monge but missed. He was taken into custody.

Four years ago, Monge was arrested when he was found with 31 Molotov cocktails he said were for “home defense”, according to prosecutors. He was charged with 32 felony counts of possession of a destructive device and one felony count of possession of an arson device.

In that case, Monge accepted a plea bargain that included specific mental health terms — including a requirement to take all psychiatric medications prescribed.

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