A couple of utility company workers who were reportedly cutting a power line right-of-way in southwest Washington Parish Thursday told authorities they were given a less than cordial welcome and that gunfire was involved.

The incident occurred in the 37800 block of Fisher Road and involved Washington St. Tammany Electric and Creel Brothers employees.

“According to the utility workers, they were approached by Kevin Lester Albrecht, 44, who demanded the workers get off his property,” said Chief Deputy Mike Haley. “WST and Creel Brothers employees were not on Albrecht’s property.

“Albrecht argued, then left and walked to his residence.”

But he was allegedly not finished with his protests.

“The two utility workers were cutting limbs while in a bucket approximately 25 feet off the ground,” Haley said. “Albrecht returned to the scene with a pistol in his hand. The workers alleged he yelled and cursed at them and then fired a shot from the pistol — not directly at them, but more of a warning shot.”

The workers quickly got back on the ground and informed their supervisor, who then called the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“When deputies arrived, they encountered Albrecht outside his residence,” Haley said. “He began yelling at the utility workers. The deputies advised him to be quiet and asked him about the pistol. He denied having a pistol.”

Deputies took statements from all involved parties and then, based on those given by the utility workers, arrested Albrecht and charged him with two counts of aggravated assault on a utility worker with a firearm, one count of illegal discharge/use of a weapon, one count of resisting arrest and two counts of resisting an officer. 

He was booked into the Washington Parish Jail at 12:16 p.m. and bonded out at 8:06 p.m. Bond was set at $25,000. 

Haley said the case is being referred to District Attorney Walter Reed’s office.