Panama City Man Sentenced to 42 Months for Officer Attack
A Panama City man was sentenced to 42 months in prison after attacking a police officer who responded to a knife threat.
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Stephen Wayne Spohn, 48, will serve 42 months in prison after a jury convicted him Tuesday of resisting an officer with violence and battery.
Spohn attacked a Panama City police officer who responded to reports of him threatening another man with a knife near 23rd Street and State Road 77. According to trial testimony, Spohn struck the victim and knocked him to the ground. A passing driver pulled over and let the victim into his vehicle for safety until police arrived.
When an officer spotted Spohn walking from the scene and ordered him to stop, Spohn ignored the command. During the arrest, Spohn punched the officer and continued struggling with police.
Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson sentenced Spohn immediately after the verdict. The jury deliberated for 27 minutes.
Prosecutor Christopher Walters presented three witnesses, including the officer Spohn attacked. Walters told jurors that Spohn escalated the situation at every turn, from the initial knife threat through his assault on the responding officer.
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