Jackson - Pioneer resident Eric Olson, 37, was found guilty of three misdemeanor counts of assault Thursday- including death and racial threats against two black children -and was sentenced to 28 years to life in state prison. District Attorney Todd Riebe said in a release Monday that the charges stem from an incident on February 9, 2007 in Pioneer. He said “a 16 year old male was walking with his 13 year old sister, who are both black, and a 13 year old female friend on their way to the Amador station bus stop.” Riebe said Olson passed them in his pick up truck, flipped the group off, then returned in his truck “and skidded to a stop immediately behind the group, nearly striking them and causing them to jump out of the way to avoid injury.” Olson approached the male and issued racial epitaphs before removing a box cutter and threatening to kill the male. Riebe quoted Olson as saying, “I’ll cut your throat. I know where you live. I could kill you and your family.” Olson repeated his threats on March 1, 2007 while the boy and his sister were again enroute to the bus stop. This time, Olson was alleged to have pointed two fingers at his eyes, then pointed the same two fingers at the minors, stating “I know where you live.” The boy was later at his residence when he noticed Olson’s vehicle pull up in his driveway. He called his mother and reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office. When interviewed about the crimes by Sheriff’s Deputy Marchant, Olson reportedly denied any wrongdoing and again used a racial epitaph. Since Olson had previously been convicted for a burglary and a robbery and suffered two strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law, Amador County Judge David Richmond sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison for conviction of criminal threats and 3 years consecutive for having served three prior separate prison terms. Multiple motions filed by Olson to overturn the conviction were denied. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.