Eric Deters: Misdemeanor convictions 'do not affect' campaign for governor

Eric Deters, a Republican candidate running in Kentucky's gubernatorial race, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges related to a truck chase that occurred after a teenage nephew flipped him off near a family farm in Northern Kentucky.

The Kenton County Attorney's Office said Deters pled guilty to two counts of harassing communications and a single count of menacing, all misdemeanors.

He also faced a charge of criminal trespassing, but that count was dropped, court records show.

Deters' plea came after the prosecution rested its case in a bench trial before Judge Douglas Grothaus in Kenton County District Court, prosecutors said.

He was sentenced to a total of 270 days in jail, prosecutors said, however the court conditionally discharged the sentence for the next two years.

Conditional discharge is similar to probation, though it's imposed when the court decides a defendant should follow conditions set by the court but that probationary supervision isn't necessary.

In early October of last year, Deters chased his nephew with his truck throughout the Kenton County farm belonging to his brother and then sent harassing voicemails and texts to his sister-in-law, according to a criminal complaint and citation.

Deters, a suspended attorney, filed to run for governor as a Republican in late 2021. He regularly posts videos on political topics and criticizes opponents on his “Eric Deters Show" YouTube channel.

In response to a text message from The Enquirer requesting comment on his plea and how that might impact his run for governor, Deters wrote: "Doesnt (sic) hurt me one bit!"

Deters also sent The Enquirer a video of himself discussing the case while driving. In the video, he said prosecutors did not agree to the plea, adding he "just pled directly to the judge and took my chances."

He said that after listening to the prosecution's case he believes he is guilty. "I was angry at what happened and I did want to scare him," Deters said, referring to his nephew.

"I want to put this entire thing behind me," Deters said. He added that his misdemeanor convictions "do not affect, (in) any way, shape or form, my ability to be elected governor."

The Louisville Courier Journal contributed to this report.