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Officer assault nets Saline man 10 years |
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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
A Saline County man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a Benton police officer received a 10-year prison sentence on Thursday in Circuit Judge Grisham Phillips’ court.
Jason Collatt, 28, had been charged with aggravated assault following a shooting incident on Springhill Road in Bryant. Benton police Detective Eric Haworth was cleared earlier this month in connection with the April 27 incident.
Earlier on April 27, Haworth received information about a burglary and theft case he had been working that led him to 3014 Springhill Road. Haworth and Arkansas State Police Trooper Quinn Best made contact with Collatt, who was driving a passenger van that pulled up in front of the house.
Collatt and Haworth reportedly became involved in a physical altercation when Collatt put his vehicle in reverse. Haworth tried to stop Collatt, officials said, but the suspect put the vehicle in drive and dragged Haworth for about 15 yards.
Haworth fired shots at Collatt’s vehicle while he was being dragged, police said. Collatt was not hit by the gunfire, police said.
Collatt then stopped the van about 100 yards from the house and fled on foot, police said.
A search for Collatt began with help from the Bryant Police Department and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office. Collatt turned himself in around 1:15 a.m. the following day.
Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady ruled earlier this month that Haworth’s actions were justified. Haworth suffered minor injuries during the incident, but has recovered and is back at work.
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