Schanze fined, ordered to undergo counseling

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DRAPER -- "Super" Dell Schanze has been fined $300 and ordered to undergo counseling for flying low close to Interstate 15.

Outside of court, Schanze kissed the feet of a woman who paid his fine.

Schanze, 36, pleaded no contest Tuesday in Draper's justice court to a class B misdemeanor count of committing a public nuisance.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed a count of disorderly conduct, which is an infraction.

Judge Daniel Bertch also put Schanze on one year of probation.

Once Schanze obtains an evaluation, he must complete whatever treatment is recommended, Draper prosecutor Melanie Serassio said.

The paragliding incident happened on May 24, when police received reports that a man was gliding so low that witnesses feared he might crash.

Utah Highway Patrol troopers said drivers were watching the aircraft instead of the road.

Serassio declined to discuss the factual basis for Schanze's plea.

"I have a gentleman's agreement with him not to get into details, as long as he does so as well," she said. "He can talk to media, but he needs to be respectful about it."

Outside the courthouse, Schanze proclaimed his innocence and said, "We can't have government institutions acting like morons."

Regarding his plea, he said, "I'm the one if I'm guilty, I'll plead guilty. If I'm not guilty, I'll fight it. And sometimes, I'll plead no contest if I can get out of it and stop wasting everyone's time for another year over something that's really silly."

His fine was paid by Leslye Arrowsmith, who said she had not met Schanze before.

"Today, I would pay Dell's $300 fine. I don't care. That's how much I believe in Dell Schanze," she said.

Arrowsmith said she feels the media have destroyed Schanze's life and career.

"We don't need to ruin Dell Schanze," she said.

Schanze said if she paid his fine, he would kiss her feet.

Arrowsmith went into the cashier's office and wrote out a check for the full amount of the fine.

Schanze knelt down and kissed Arrowsmith's shoes, saying that he thought it was phenomenal what Arrowsmith did for him.

"You are so welcome -- best $300 I've ever spent," Arrowsmith said.

"Thank you very much for standing up for what you believe in. That's awesome," Schanze said.

Schanze is the former owner of Totally Awesome Computers and is known for his over-the-top personal style and shrill, hyperactive TV commercials.

He is to be sentenced June 28 in 3rd District Court for lying to police after allegedly brandishing a gun at several Draper residents who confronted him about speeding through their neighborhood in May 2005.

A jury convicted him of making a false written statement, but acquitted him of brandishing a gun during a quarrel.

He pleaded guilty to driving 50 mph in a 25 mph zone.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D3.

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