VALPARAISO | A Valparaiso man avoided jail time Monday after pleading guilty to possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

Justin McChristian, 24, was sentenced by Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa to 18 months behind bars, with all but 60 days suspended.

While the original deal struck with prosecutors called for McChristian to serve 30 days behind bars, he opted instead to take part in a day reporting program, according his attorney, Bob Harper.

McChristian is also to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and therapy if warranted. He is eligible to ask the court to reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor upon successful completion of his probation.

McChristian was arrested after being accused of beating another person, damaging a car and brandishing a sawed-off shotgun Dec. 26 in the 100 block of Virginia Court in Williamsburg Mobile Home Park in Washington Township.

McChristian told police the other people involved in the incident had been bothering him for 45 minutes, but he initially denied having a shotgun, hitting anyone or damaging a vehicle.

Police said they found a sawed-off shotgun in the home.