Douglas County Man Sentenced Today for Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer and Other Convictions

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces earlier today rural Douglas County resident John Brian Crawford, 52, was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of three charges following a three day jury trial that began on July 17.  The jury found Crawford guilty of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement – obstruction.  At today’s hearing the Court sentenced Crawford to serve 20 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) for the first charge, 8 months KDOC for the second charge and 6 months in jail for the third charge.  All counts run concurrent and he has a controlling total sentence of 20 months in the KDOC.  When Crawford is released, he will have 24 months post release supervision and he will be required to register as a violent offender for 15 years.   The Court remanded him into custody to immediately begin serving his prison sentence.

Today’s sentencing stems from Crawford’s August 2, 2015 confrontation with two Douglas County Deputies.  At approximately 9:30 p.m., a Deputy discovered a partially clothed woman walking away from Lone Star Lake.  The woman had left an area residence following a verbal dispute with her boyfriend.  She requested a civil standby so she could safely return to the home and retrieve a cellphone and a few personal belongings.  The Deputy knocked on the front door, explained the woman wanted to retrieve a few items and Crawford gave permission for her to get them.  A backup Deputy arrived and walked the woman to the door and she entered to get her items.  Both Deputies waited outside the residence’s front door and spoke with Crawford as the woman gathered the items.  The woman was not able to quickly find her cellphone and as her search continued, Crawford became agitated.  Crawford then tried to slam the door on the deputies while the woman was still inside the residence.  To ensure everybody inside remained safe, the Deputy blocked the door from shutting.   Crawford pulled a handgun from behind his back at pointed it directly at one of the Deputies.  Both Deputies began to attempt to gain control of Crawford.  Crawford fought the Deputies and tried to pull items from their duty belts, but the Deputies were able to gain control over him.  They were able to handcuff him without any shots being fired.

Today’s sentencing hearing was held in the courtroom of the Honorable Paula B. Martin.  The case was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and it was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Bauch.

*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

3.6 Advocate: Trial Publicity

3.8 Advocate: Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor

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