A Park City man pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice in 3rd District Court on Monday.

Ira Sachs, 72, was originally charged with two third-degree felonies for child endangerment and possession of marijuana, which were dropped, misdemeanor obstruction of justice and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“If you and I were caught with possession of marijuana and we had a child in our house, would we be charged with child endangerment? Probably not,” said attorney Joe Tesch, who represented Sachs in the case. “When you are somewhat of a celebrity like Ira is then I think [prosecutors] can sometimes get a little bit excited at the beginning and overcharge.”

The charges stemmed from an incident on New Year’s Day at Sachs’ Sun Peak home when deputies received a report of a suicidal female who needed assistance.

Sachs was charged with obstruction of justice because he moved a marijuana pipe as officers searched his home, Tesch said.

“The paraphernalia had been next to this lady who was suicidal,” Tesch said. “The police came in, they asked him where it was and [Sachs] gave it to them.”

Inside the home deputies also found about 11 ounces of marijuana, charging documents state.

Sachs was initially charged with child endangerment because a 14-year-old girl was inside the house at the time, according to prosecutors.

“[Sachs] is an icon and he does have a different style of life than you or I could imagine, or even afford,” Tesch said. “But he is an interesting guy and a big-hearted guy.”

Sachs has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to law-enforcement organizations in the state, Tesch said.

“The judge’s observations from the bench that this is a man who has done a great deal of good in the community, but nonetheless, has made a mistake, were very appropriate,” Tesch added. “The question is, when you are somewhat of an icon, are you treated fairly out of the box? But for this, he should be considered by Rotary Club for man of the year.”

Judge Bruce Lubeck ordered Sachs to serve one year in jail for each offense, which he suspended. Sachs must pay a $2,000 fine and was placed on probation for 18 months. Within 12 months he must complete 250 hours of community service, Tesch said.

Sachs has registered at a treatment program for drug offenders in Salt Lake City and “he is required to demonstrate clean blood tests, three or four of them, with at least 30-day periods in between,” Tesch said.