A judge has sentenced an Atlantic man to 5-years in prison for an incident involving his wife which took place on Oct. 13th, 2012 at R&B Feeds. Judge Jeffrey Larsen also ordered 46-year old Rex Dean McDermott to pay a $750 fine plus court costs. He was given credit for time served. A no contact order was also extended for a period of one-year.

In Sept. 2013, McDermott agreed to plead guilty to a charge of domestic abuse by strangulation, causing bodily injury, in exchange for one count of willful injury causing bodily injury and one count of domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury/by mental illness, being dismissed.

According to reports, McDermott’s probation officer indicated in his statement to the judge that McDermott suffered from a bi-polar disorder, as well as substance abuse problems. He also said McDermott accepted responsibility for his actions and showed remorse during his interviews. Regardless, the officer recommended McDermott receive the appropriate term of incarceration due because of the violent nature of the offense.

Prior to being sentenced, Rex McDermott reportedly apologized to his family, his customers and clients, and the community.