A Minden man who injured a police officer and fled during a 2023 traffic stop in Greenwood pleaded guilty Tuesday in Caddo District Court.
Preston Burns, 36, entered the plea after a jury had been sworn in and the officer he injured testified. Burns was represented by attorneys Dave Knadler and Royal Alexander, and Assistant District Attorneys Senae D. Hall and Christopher Caleb Traylor prosecuted the case.
On June 4, 2023, Greenwood police Sgt. G. Shaul stopped Burns for speeding on U.S. Highway 79. Burns had a suspended license and active warrants. After being handcuffed and escorted to a police vehicle, Burns was allowed to speak to a passenger in his car. When Shaul ordered him back into the police vehicle, Burns bumped the officer, then chest-bumped and shoved him before fleeing.
Shaul fell while attempting to chase Burns, who drove away in his vehicle. The officer sustained a serious shoulder injury requiring extensive medical treatment.
Judge Ramona Emanuel sentenced Burns to five years at hard labor, with 30 days to be served without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence for battery of a police officer with an injury requiring medical attention. He also received three years at hard labor for resisting a police officer with force or violence and four years at hard labor for simple escape. The resisting and battery sentences will run concurrently but consecutively to the escape sentence, as required by Louisiana law.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.