Upland man takes plea bargain in threats to grandparents

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- An Upland man accused of holding a knife to his grandfather's neck has pleaded no contest to a felony assault charge as part of a plea bargain that carries probation and a possible four-year prison sentence.

Jack Clifford Eckman, 22, was originally charged with five felonies and a misdemeanor for allegedly harassing his grandparents. The alleged harassment peaked June 30 when his alleged threat against his grandfather.

Eckman was in custody Monday when he entered his plea in West Valley Superior Court as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The agreement calls for Eckman to be placed on probation for three years. If he violates his probation, he could be sentenced to four years in prison.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss all but one felony charge against Eckman.

Judge Donald G. Umhoffer allowed Eckman to be released from custody at the end of the hearing in exchange for a promise that he appear in court Dec. 22 for his sentencing.

Eckman was arrested for a June 30 incident at his grandparents' home in the 300 block of South Greentree Road in Upland, where he used to live.

During his visit he demanded belongings he claimed he had left there. When his grandparents disputed his claim that he had left belongings there, an argument escalated until Eckman allegedly took out a knife.

According to a police report contained in his court file, Eckman held the knife over his head and walked within two three feet of his grandmother.

"I should kill you," he said, according to the report.

He later held the knife to his grandfather's throat and threatened to kill him, according to the report.