An East Texas man convicted of shooting at a sheriff's deputy and then fleeing to Arkansas has been sentenced to life in prison.

Jurors in Smith County who convicted 33-year-old Ricardo Pineda of aggravated assault against a peace officer also decided Friday the Tyler man should be fined $10,000.

Pineda was the target of a federal and county drug investigation when he fired a dozen rifle shots at a Smith County deputy during a March 2016 car chase. The deputy's car was disabled. Pineda later was arrested in Corning, Arkansas, about 400 miles (643.71 kilometers) to the northeast.

Pineda had a federal conviction in 2000 for possession and distribution of methamphetamine.

Prosecutors told jurors to send a message that shooting at law enforcement officers is not acceptable.