A Rock Springs man on Tuesday pleaded “no contest” to the aggravated assault charge stemming from allegations that he put out his caretaker’s eye with pliers.

Robert Wayne Downum, 58, appeared Tuesday in Sweetwater County District Court alongside public defender Rob Spence, and one table away from Sweetwater County Deputy Attorney Alex Breckenridge.

Downum was set to go to trial Oct. 13 on the lone aggravated assault charge he faces, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

But on Oct. 1, he signed a plea agreement to settle the case.

Under the agreement, the Sweetwater County Attorney’s Office agrees to seek no more than 6-8 years in prison while arguing Downum’s sentence.

Downum can argue for any sentence he’d like, including probation or time at a

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