Man gets at least 3 years for hitting cop with ATV
A man who reportedly hit a Dayton police officer with an ATV more than a year ago was sentenced to three to 4½ years in prison, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.
Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Susan Solle previously found 27-year-old Deontaye Trammell guilty of felonious assault of a peace officer, failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, obstructing official business, assault of a peace officer, carrying concealed weapons, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and having weapons while under disability, according to court records.
Solle acquitted him of one count of felonious assault of a peace officer.
On Aug. 14, 2021, Dayton police saw a group of ATV riders reportedly violating traffic laws in the 1900 block of North Gettysburg Avenue.
When officers attempted to pull the riders over, everyone but Trammell fled, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Trammell reportedly stalled the engine, but restarted and reversed the ATV as police approached. Trammell hit a vehicle behind him and an officer tried to grab him, but Trammell drove forward and dragged the office several feet, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Officers deployed a police K9, who bit Trammell, and also used a Taser before taking Trammell into custody.
The officer, Jamie Luckoski, needed multiple stitches to close a laceration on his leg, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The prosecution sought a “substantial” sentencing, writing Trammell faced a mandatory sentence for three to 11 years for the felonious assault of a peace officer conviction, and an additional nine months to three years for the two failure to comply convictions, according to court documents.
They also argued Trammell’s conduct is “part of a broader problem in Dayton.”
“Reckless driving has been described as a plague across Ohio, especially in Dayton,” read a sentencing memo. “This reckless driving was the reason for the initial traffic stop and Officer Luckoski observed not only a group of ATVs that were not street-legal on the road, but also observed them popping wheelies and driving recklessly prior to the traffic stop.”
The defense sought the minimum sentence for the felonious assault conviction and probation for the others.
Trammell’s defense wrote his actions are “without excuse,” but noted he did not intend to hurt the officer and that he panicked.
They added he has been on electronic home detention for over a year and hasn’t violated any of the terms and conditions.
“During that time, he has thought a lot about the day in question,” the defense wrote. “He wishes he could relive that day. He never would hurt the police officer. He would change so much.”