The neighbor charged with attacking U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky will make his first appearance in federal court next month.
Court documents show Rene Boucher will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Bowling Green on March 9. The 59-year-old Boucher has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of assaulting a member of Congress.
In a plea deal signed by the retired anesthesiologist, he admitted the attack in November was prompted by an ongoing dispute over yard maintenance. Senator Paul suffered broken ribs and contracted pneumonia as a result of the injuries.
The felony charge against Boucher carries a maximum sentence of ten years, but federal prosecutors are recommending a 21-month prison term.
Given that Rand Paul is a senator from Kentucky, all of the state’s federal judges have recused themselves. U.S. District Judge Marianne Battani of the Eastern District of Michigan is presiding over the case.
