A McLouth man has been sentenced in Leavenworth County District Court to more than three years in prison for reportedly trying to run down a state trooper and then fleeing from the scene.
Kevin Reed, 34, was convicted in December 2013 of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and obstruction of an official duty. He was sentenced Friday to 45 months, or three years and nine months.
The charges stemmed from a May 22 incident in southwest Leavenworth County in which Reed reportedly accelerated a vehicle toward a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper. The trooper fired at the vehicle, shooting out one of the tires, Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said.
Reed fled from the scene. Authorities initiated a manhunt that involved the use of a helicopter, canines and dozens of officers. Reed was found hiding in the left of a barn, Thompson. said
During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Assistant County Attorney Adam Zentner said the incident had a serious impact on the trooper’s life. It was the first time in the trooper’s 11-year career that the officer had to fire his weapon at someone.
District Judge Gunnar Sundby also sentenced Reed to 29 months in prison for a separate case involving charges of aggravated assault, domestic battery and criminal damage to property. But, the judge ordered the sentence to run concurrent with the other case. This means Reed will serve the sentences for both cases at the same time.
This week, Zentner testified before the Kansas House Judiciary Committee regarding a bill designed to increase the penalties for people who flee and elude law enforcement officers, Thompson said.
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