A Marion man who fired a gun at a woman and child during a domestic dispute last September was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison on Jan. 29.

Joseph Singleton, 35, faced charges of assault, among other charges. Plymouth County prosecutors sought a five to seven year prison sentence for the incident. He is a former longtime security guard at Tobey Hospital and Wareham's former Animal Control Officer.

Singleton pleaded guilty to attempted assault and battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless endangerment of a child, assault and battery on a household member, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and witness intimidation. Judge Robert Cosgrove sentenced him to serve 2.5 years. Eighteen months will be served in prison, and the balance will be suspended after three years.

On September 18, following a domestic dispute, Singleton shot at a woman and her five-year-old child from his car. The woman and child, both uninjured, were traveling in a vehicle in front of him.

Singleton then led police on a brief chase on Route 6 before crashing into trees while entering an I-195 on-ramp.

Mattapoisett Sergeant Marshall Sadeck noted that he and Detective Craig Leblanc found four shell casings near Gifford's Corner Road. At least two bullet holes were found in the trunk of the car that the woman involved was driving.

A 9mm handgun was found in Singleton's car after his arrest. He was properly licensed to carry the firearm.

Due to the violent nature of the allegations, the prosecution requested a dangerousness hearing, which is used to determine whether or not a defendant poses a “substantial risk” of committing a felony involving the use of force. Singleton was ordered held without bail as a result of the hearing, which took place on September 22.