Tom Green County man gets 50 years in prison for assault of officer
By: Staff
Updated: September 13, 2007
A Tom Green County man is headed to prison, after a jury found him guilty of assaulting a Tom Green County sheriff's deputy, and attempting to take the officer's gun.
The incident took place in a courtroom of the Tom Green County Courthouse in December 2004. According to court documents, Claude Chadwick, 52, of Carlsbad already was facing previous charges of drug possession and transporting chemicals used in the manufacture of narcotics.
During the incident, according to a sheriff's investigator, Chadwick pinned a deputy against a wall, and attempted to remove the deputy's gun from its holster. A court bailiff intervened, and both officers were able to keep Chadwick under control until other officers arrived.
This week, a jury heard Chadwick's case, and found him guilty of both counts -- assault on a public servant, and attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer. The jury sentenced him to 50 years in prison.
Prosecutors say Chadwick had numerous previous charges, including drug possession, sexual assault, burglary and driving while intoxicated.
