A man linked to violent threats on Mount Herman in the wake of a mountain biker’s unsolved shooting death could soon be free.

Daniel J. Nations on Friday pleaded guilty to two felonies — neither involving allegations of actual violence — and was immediately sentenced to three years on supervised probation. A judge also imposed a two-year suspended sentence should he violate any conditions.

Under normal circumstances, Nations’ release would be imminent, but he has an active arrest warrant out of Clear Creek County, making the timing of his release unclear.

Under his plea bargain, Nations, 32, admitted to wielding a hatchet while threatening someone during an incident that came Aug. 23, a few weeks before the disappearance of Palmer Lake cyclist Timothy Watkins. Nations has not been accused of playing a role in Watkins’ death, and the prospect of his impending release – with no sign of additional charges in sight – raises new questions as to whether the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is any closer to announcing a break in the murder case.

A prosecutor assigned to the case, Pam Radigan, said she had no updates to provide on the Watkins case, and a sheriff’s detective who attended the hearing declined to comment.

Nations’ plea bargain settled all pending cases against him in El Paso and Teller counties.

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