WARSAW — A Syracuse man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced for possessing a handgun today in Kosciusko County Superior Court I.

Joshua Bruce Obacz, 39, 12380 North Kings Dr., Syracuse, previously pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, officers with the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department responded to a physical fight involving a firearm at Obacz’s address on March 29. When the officer arrived to the residence he was met by two females, one of which was running from the home. Both women stated that Obacz had a gun and threatening to kill himself.

The affidavit states that the officer was able to locate Obacz inside a closed bedroom and was able to talk with him until he came out unarmed. A Glock 40 caliber handgun was found in the bedroom on a nightstand.

According to the affidavit, Obacz grabbed the gun and chambered a bullet. Both women stated that Obacz had pointed the gun at each of their heads stating he was going to kill them before placing the gun to his own head. The women advised they were afraid Obacz would shoot them.

In court Obacz advised that he believed he would have handled the incident better if he had better tools for handling his drug abuse and “criminal mindset,” stating he had no structure to help get away from his criminal tendencies.

Obacz told the court that when he was previously released for the Indiana Department of Corrections he was given no help in transitioning back to being a normal citizen. While incarcerated at the Kosciusko County Jail, Obacz has initiated a support group that helps each other go through the 12 steps.

Judge David Cates sentenced Obacz to four years at the Indiana Department of Corrections, but is allowing Obacz until 4 p.m. Dec. 22 to be accepted into Kosciusko County Work Release. Should Obacz not be accepted, Cates has recommended purposeful incarceration.

Two charges of intimidation were dropped.