Rand Paul's attacker signs plea deal that could put him in prison for 21 months

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Listen to U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s 911 call the day he was attacked by a neighbor.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A senator’s neighbor turned attacker could serve 21 months in federal prison, according to a plea deal with prosecutors.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was mowing his yard Nov. 3 in Bowling Green, Ky., and wearing headphones when Rene Boucher, 58, of Bowling Green, Ky., saw Paul stacking more brush on a pile near his property. Boucher, who on Wednesday signed the plea agreement that was filed Friday, said he had “had enough,” according to the court document.

The retired anesthesiologist ran downhill toward Paul, tackling him. Paul ended up with six broken ribs and developed pneumonia twice during his recovery, telling CBS News that recovering from his injuries was a “living hell.” 

For nearly three months, Paul never publicly addressed the motive behind the attack.

â–º Jan. 19: Neighbor charged with felony assault against Rand Paul
â–º Nov. 13: Rand Paul to return to work after attack: ‘I’m still in a good deal of pain’
â–º Nov. 9: Chief strategist calls assault on senator a ‘blindside, violent attack’

“I just don’t think of any kind of motivation or justification, whether it’s political or personal, to attack someone who’s unaware from behind in their own yard,” Paul said Jan. 7 on Face the Nation.

In a statement, Josh J. Minkler, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, said all defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court.

Sentencing guidelines show Boucher could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard said.

â–º Nov. 9: Rand Paul’s neighbors still searching for motive in ‘bizarre’ dispute
â–º Nov. 7: Rand Paul, neighbor have history of conflict, community developer says

The judge does not have to abide by the plea deal and also could impose a monetary fine, according to court documents.

Boucher admitted to going on the senator’s property in November and tackling him, according to an arrest warrant from Kentucky State Police.

He pleaded not guilty to fourth-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. He was ordered to stay 1,000 feet away from Paul and his family. 

â–º Nov. 6: Lawyer: Trivial matter at heart of dispute between neighbor, Rand Paul
â–º Nov. 4: Sen. Rand Paul assaulted at his Kentucky home, man arrested

Jim Skaggs, the developer of the Rivergreen gated community in Bowling Green where the two men live, told The Courier Journal the attack might have stemmed from Paul allegedly blowing lawn trimmings into his neighbor’s yard. 

“I think this is something that has been festering,” Skaggs said shortly after the incident. “I wanted to build a place where everyone could get along, but I guess that’s just impossible.”

Boucher’s plea agreement states that the attack was not politically motivated but rather that it was a “property dispute that had finally boiled over.” 

In a previous statement, Doug Stafford, a senior adviser to Paul, said Paul and his family have not talked with his neighbor in roughly 10 years and that the men had no dispute.

Follow Thomas Novelly on Twitter: @TomNovelly

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911 call transcript

Bowling Green, Ky., Police released audio transcripts Monday of Sen. Rand Paul’s 911 call Nov. 3.

Operator: 911. What is your emergency?

Paul: Um, I was just assaulted by my neighbor, it’s not a life-or-death thing, but I’d like to have a police car come by.

Operator 1: Where are you?

Paul: (Redacted)

Operator 1: Let me put you through to the state police. Stay on the line, OK?

Paul: You’re going to send somebody?

Operator 1: I gotta put you through to state police. Stay on the line, OK?

Paul: All right. 

Operator 2: 911. What’s your emergency?

Paul: I was assaulted by a neighbor and I’d like the police to come and investigate and talk to the neighbor. 

Operator 2: OK, where did the assault happen at?

Paul: In my yard while I was mowing the grass. 

Operator 2: What’s that address, sir?

Paul: (Redacted)

Operator 2: What’s your name sir?

Paul: Rand. Randall Paul.