Ramona

A second suspect pleaded guilty Friday to assault with a deadly weapon in a bizarre incident in Ramona in which a man left a rattlesnake in a box for his mother.

The plea by David Paul Pocock, 19, of Ramona, came after another guilty plea by the woman’s son, Marvin Howard Pruitt II, 28, who pleaded guilty to the same charge Oct. 23.

San Diego Municipal Court Judge Charles Hayes told Pocock, a British citizen, he could be deported because of his conviction. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.

Dressed in a suit, Pocock told the judge he only meant to scare Pruitt’s mother, not to kill her.

Hayes told Pocock he could receive a state prison sentence, but the district attorney’s office agreed not to oppose a sentence of one year or less in County Jail. He could be fined $10,000.

The judge also said Pocock’s felony conviction could be reduced to a misdemeanor if there are no problems during an 18-month probation.

Pruitt left the box for his mother, Bernice Eldridge, 51, on Aug. 4 in her driveway, saying, “Here’s the pictures you wanted.” Eldridge, instead, called sheriff’s deputies, and a deputy found the snake with its rattle cut off in the box.

Hayes dismissed attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder charges against Pocock.

No sentencing agreement exists for Pruitt; he could receive four years in prison Nov. 20. He also had been charged with attempted murder, but that count was dismissed.

Pocock is free on his own recognizance on condition he have no contact with Eldridge. Pruitt remains in County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.