An Oak Harbor man investigated for possibly taking a shot at an officer last year was sent to prison for illegally possessing a gun, according to the Island County Prosecutor’s Office.

Nicholas Wiggins, 28, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Under state law, an individual isn’t allowed to possess a firearm if he or she has previously been convicted of a “serious offense.”

Chief Criminal Deputy Eric Ohme said a test of the pistol didn’t find any of Wiggins’ DNA, so he agreed to let Wiggins plead guilty to second-degree unlawful possession instead of first degree.

Under terms of the plea bargain, Ohme recommended that Wiggins receive a sentence of 51 months in prison.

During a hearing Monday, the judge agreed.

According to the police report, the incident last November began with a road-rage fight. A police officer followed one of the cars involved to East Whidbey Avenue, where Wiggins got out and went into the backyard of a home.

The police officer had his gun drawn and was ducking behind his car when he heard “a single, small-caliber gun shot,” the police report states.

After Wiggins was arrested, investigators found an Uzi hidden under vegetation, but no bullet hole or shell casing was located.

Wiggins was being sought on a warrant for DUI and hit-and-run at the time of his arrest. His criminal history includes convictions for robbery, theft, burglary, forgery and identify theft, according to court documents.