A Wichita Falls man was given a probated prison sentence by the jury who found him guilty of pointing a shotgun at a police officer.
Jeremy Allen Sanchez, 33, pleaded not guilty to the offense prior to his trial in the 89th District Court for one count of aggravated assault on a public servant – a first-degree felony.
Sanchez was found guilty Wednesday by the jury. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, but the jurors elected to suspend the term for seven years community supervision. He faced up to life in prison.
While on probation, Sanchez must complete 320 hours of community service
According to court documents:
On April 7, 2014, officers were sent to the area of Avenue D and Fillmore Street on a report of gunshots and screaming.
When they got in the area, officers saw a front door open on a residence in that intersection. They could also hear yelling and loud music from inside the home.
As the officers approached the door, they saw furniture turned over and other household items thrown all over the residence.
Believing there might by an assault or shooting victim inside needing assistance, the officers announced their presence from just outside the doorway. When they received no response, an officer took one step inside and yelled "police" a second time.
As the officer turned to his right, he saw Sanchez lying on a recliner-type chair pointing a shotgun directly at him.
Sanchez yelled for the officer to "get the (expletive) out" and was getting out of the chair with the weapon.
The officer jumped back out of the residence, fearing he might get shot. The officer leaped off the porch and took cover behind a truck in the driveway after seeing through a window that Sanchez was walking toward the front door.
When Sanchez came outside, he had his hands up and announced to the police that he didn't have the gun.
Other officers arrived and secured the residence. The weapon was found lying on the chair Sanchez was sitting in and determined to be a single shot, 410-gauge shotgun.