A La Plata County man who punched La Plata County Sheriff’s deputies and threatened them with a knife late last year has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Jake Williams, 28, shoved, punched and threatened deputies Dec. 17 while under the influence of drugs along County Road 205 near the Falls Creek subdivision, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies shot Williams with a Taser four times and a non-lethal beanbag round from a shotgun once before they were able to arrest him, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors charged Williams with two counts of felony assault: one for assaulting a law enforcement officer performing a lawful duty – punishable by four to 12 years in prison – and a second for assaulting an officer while in custody – punishable by two to six years in prison, according to a plea agreement.
District Court Judge Todd Norvell imposed a 10-year sentence for the first count and a six-year sentence for the second count. Williams will serve the terms concurrently, meaning at the same time, which means he was given 10 years total in prison. Defendants typically can earn “good time” in prison, meaning they can be released sooner.
“I take full responsibility for what I did,” Williams told Norvell at Friday’s sentencing hearing. “I am sorry. I wasn’t in the right state of mind – I know that’s no excuse.”
Deputy District Attorney Reid Stewart asked Norvell to impose the maximum sentence based on the severity of the incident and Williams’ past felonious conduct.
Williams also has three prior felony convictions.
Defense attorney Barrie Newberger King asked Norvell to impose a four- to six-year sentence. She asked for leniency, saying Williams had a rough childhood – his father is in prison for raping him and his brother is dead.
“Mr. Williams suffered pretty much everything that could happen to a child,” Newberger King told Norvell.
Norvell recognized the challenges Williams faced in his life.
“You had a rough one,” Norvell said. But he said a light sentence “would show no respect for the law.”
“You put officers in significant danger,” Norvell said. “A light sentence would send a message that that’s OK.”
The judge recognized Williams’ behavior in the courtroom as respectful and remorseful, saying that based on his conduct, Williams likely will be released from prison early for good behavior. But when Williams gets out, Norvell said he’ll have work to do.
“You’re still going to be you, and you still have to deal with your drug problem,” Norvell said.
bhauff@durangoherald.com