Man gets 20 months for trying to wrestle gun from trooper
Published Friday, May 9, 2008
A man accused of trying to wrestle a gun away from an Alaska State Trooper was sentenced to 20 months in jail Thursday.
The incident occurred in May 2006 after a trooper stopped Rafe L. Williams, 46, for speeding.
The trooper noticed Williams reaching for something in the center console and confiscated more than an ounce of methamphetamine from him.
A struggle ensued as the trooper tried to handcuff Williams.
The trooper was forced to use pepper spray, but Williams redirected it back at him.
As the trooper, unable to see, tried to restrain Williams, Williams tried to get the trooper’s gun out of its holster.
He even managed to unsnap the top snap on the holster, according to court records.
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop an assault charge if Williams pleaded guilty to drugs misconduct and resisting arrest.
Superior Court Judge Douglas Blankenship suspended 30 months of the sentence and placed Williams on probation for three years.
Williams was also ordered to complete an anger management assessment.
Williams, who has been in and out of state custody since the charges were filed almost two years ago, estimated that he had five months left to serve.
His lawyer said Williams hopes to complete some of that sentence at Northstar Center halfway house.
Williams made no other statements to the court.
Blankenship warned Williams not to violate his conditions of release, noting that half his cases involve people who have done so.
“I want people to be successful,” he said. “You seem like you’re a bright fellow, and I’m sure you would rather be out there than in jail.”