Wild West City president pleads guilty

BYRAM — Michael Stabile, owner and president of Wild West City, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a handgun without a carry permit at a criminal trial in Newton on April 11. He also acknowledged giving three operable handguns to actors to use in a reenactment, knowing the actors did not have carry permits. One of the handguns severely injured actor Scott Harris in July 2006 when it was unknowingly loaded with real bullets — one of which struck Harris in the head, leaving him partially paralyzed. At the June 15 sentencing, the judge has the option of imposing a fine up to $45,000 and calling for the revocation of Wild West City parent company, Western World's, corporate charter - closing the theme park after 55 years in operation. Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Greg Mueller indicated that the state isn’t looking for Stabile to be fined. "Whatever assets the defendants have should go to the victim, not the state,” said Mueller. Mueller said now that the criminal trial is over the pending civil suit can proceed. “We're...now able to get out of the way and let the civil case proceed.” Even in the best-case scenario, where Wild West City will keep its corporate charter and avoid a fine, the judge will impose a probationary term for the theme park in which they will have to comply with strict safety conditions. The probationary period is “a critical aspect to any resolution,” Mueller said, “because Wild West City is unregulated by the state.” Representatives for Wild West City and Western World could not be reached for comment. Wild West City recently announced in a press release that they're opening the spring season on May 5.