Sandpoint Man Held On Gun Charges

A Sandpoint man accused of shoving a gun in a sheriff’s deputy’s face appeared in court this week and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Rex Alan Prewitt, 42, is charged with two counts of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon during commission of a crime.

Prewitt was convicted of murder in California in 1974. Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies Eric Skinner and Bill Tilson approached his house Jan. 25 while investigating the attempted burglary of a Sandpoint business.

Skinner knocked on the door several times and shouted their presence before Prewitt allegedly barged out of the house and pointed a revolver in Skinner’s face. Tilson responded by shooting at Prewitt five times, according to court records. Prewitt suffered gunshot wounds in his right shoulder and wrist. His first appearance in court was delayed because he was in the hospital.

The officers were not wounded. Both testified that they had feared for their lives.

Prewitt’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11.