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A former Grand Forks police officer charged with holding his handgun to the head of a party guest in his home was sentenced Wednesday to 100 hours of community service.

State District Judge Sonja Clapp also deferred imposition of Jace Prelip’s sentence, meaning if he completes a year of probation, the charge will be taken off the books.

Prelip, 28, originally faced a felony charge of terrorizing after a booze-soaked party in his home in August 2012 that would have put him in prison for at least two years.

The incident happened after hours of drinking by Prelip and several other local law enforcement officers. His victim, at the time a UND student, said he feared for his life but was afraid to say anything among the group of officers.

Prelip argued at his trial in December that it clearly was a joke, the gun was not loaded and nobody took it seriously as a threat, including the victim at the time.

A jury acquitted him of the felony but convicted him of a minor misdemeanor of disorderly conduct.

Shortly after the incident, Prelip quit after nearly three years on the force.

In the days before his sentencing, he provided letters of support, including from Sgt. Mark Ellingson, his former supervisor in the department, and from two military commanders.

Prelip now lives in Savage, Minn., and also working in a public school district, according to another letter.