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Provo • A former candidate for the state Legislature has been sentenced to prison for forcing a man inside his home at gunpoint and pistol-whipping him over a drug debt.
The Daily Herald reports that 4th District Court judge on Tuesday sentenced Mark Byrge of American Fork to serve one to 15 years in prison for the June attack.
Byrge, 43, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and obstructing justice in October.
His lawyer Joshua Esplin says a car accident left Byrge dependent on painkillers and battling a powerful drug addiction.
Byrge was uncontested in a Democratic primary for the 56th state House District but dropped out before the general election in November.
He did not spend or raise any money on the race.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Kay Christofferson was elected to the seat in November.