A former Maryland State Police trooper was sentenced Monday to five years in prison without the possibility of parole for pulling a gun on a car salesman he suspected was involved with his wife.

John Lee Evans Jr., 39, of Baltimore, choked back tears as he apologized to Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch for "being in front of you for this matter" and told her his life has taken a "downward spiral."

He was convicted of assault and handgun charges. The weapons conviction carries a mandatory five years in prison without parole. Jaklitsch also sentenced him to five years for assault but suspended it in favor of two years of supervised probation and anger management classes.

"We are going to file an appeal," said defense attorney James M. Nichols. "He maintains his innocence."

Evans was convicted Nov. 3 and fired two days later, after 12 years as a trooper. Nichols said Evans had received an award for pulling a woman from a burning car.

On May 10, he went to the man's Hanover home to confront him. What followed is in dispute.

Assistant State's Attorney Brian Marsh said Evans threatened the man with a handgun he was authorized to carry, though it was not his service weapon. The man went into his home to get his cell phone to show Evans that there was no romantic involvement. Inside, he called police. Evans remained waiting outside, he said.

The defense maintained that Evans' handgun was in a locked glove box in his car and that he did not threaten the man with it. "He went to ask him what was going on, but no more than that," Nichols said.