An Indiana woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting she threatened and fired a gun at an appliance repair technician who attempted to collect a $70 diagnostic service fee for inspecting her malfunctioning clothes dryer.
According to court records, Marion County Superior Judge Charles F. Miller sentenced Reba LaJoy Wilson, 45, on Monday for the March 2024 incident at her Indianapolis home.
Guilty Plea Leads to Prison Sentence
Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of intimidation with the use of a deadly weapon and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed additional charges, including criminal confinement, criminal recklessness, and pointing a firearm at another person.
Following the plea, Judge Miller ordered Wilson to serve 10 years in a state correctional facility.
Dispute Began Over Dryer Repair Fee
The incident occurred in March 2024, when self-employed appliance repair technician Nathaniel Baird visited Wilson’s home to diagnose a clothes dryer that was no longer producing heat.
After inspecting the appliance, Baird informed Wilson that she owed the standard $70 house-call fee for the service.
According to Baird, Wilson refused to pay, insisting that the dryer was still covered under warranty.
Baird later recalled telling Wilson that he could not perform his work without payment and prepared to leave the home.
Technician Says Woman Pulled a Gun
Instead of allowing him to leave, Wilson allegedly drew a black and silver handgun, pointed it at Baird, and blocked the front door.
According to Baird, Wilson ordered him to continue repairing the dryer despite refusing to pay the service charge.
Fearing for his safety, Baird pretended to continue working while looking for an opportunity to escape.
He eventually ran toward the back door in an attempt to flee the residence.
Gunshot Fired During Escape
As Baird ran from the home, Wilson allegedly fired a shot in his direction while shouting, “You’re lucky I don’t kill you.”
The technician later told investigators he did not look back as he fled but heard a single gunshot before Wilson allegedly threatened him again, saying she would “pop a cap” in him.
Baird managed to reach his truck safely and immediately called 911 to report the incident.
Police Recovered Firearm From Home
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators searched Wilson’s residence.
Police recovered a black and silver Smith & Wesson handgun hidden beneath a couch inside the home.
Investigators also located a spent shell casing resting on top of a broken dryer door in the kitchen, evidence they said was consistent with the technician’s account.
Authorities said Wilson initially denied that anything unusual had happened when officers first encountered her outside the residence.
Judge Rejects Home Detention Request
During the sentencing hearing, Wilson asked the court to allow her to serve her sentence on home detention rather than in prison.
She told the judge she suffers from multiple sclerosis and argued that she needed access to appropriate medical treatment.
Judge Miller denied the request, reportedly stating that Wilson was “unworthy” of community corrections.
The judge also noted Wilson’s extensive criminal history, including eight prior convictions, and pointed out that she had remained the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for nearly a year before being taken into custody.
Court Orders 10-Year Prison Term
Following the hearing, the court sentenced Wilson to 10 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
The case concludes criminal proceedings stemming from the armed confrontation, during which a repair technician escaped unharmed after allegedly being threatened with a firearm and shot at during a dispute over a $70 appliance service fee.
