Today Christopher Wayne Sherrod was sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender for a night of crime on Halloween 2014. The 26 year-old resident of Rotunda West entered a plea of no contest straight to the court in March and was sentenced today. Sherrod did not want to have a jury trial so the law allows defendants to enter a plea and be sentenced by the judge.
Sherrod was adjudicated guilty on all counts and was sentenced to;
- Count 1: Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer – 10 years in prison as a HFO; 5 years probation to follow
- Count 2: Fleeing or Attempting to Elude with Wanton Disregard -10 years in prison as a HFO; 5 years probation to follow
- Count 3: Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer – 10 years in prison as a HFO; 5 years probation to follow
- Count 4: Burglary of a Structure – 5 years in prison as a HFO
- Count 5: Grand Theft – 5 years in prison as a HFO
- Count 6: Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon –10 years in prison as a HFO; 5 years probation to follow
- Count 7: Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle – 5 years in prison as a HFO
- Count 8: Grand Theft of a Firearm – 5 years in prison as a HFO
- Count 9: Theft, Obtaining Credit Card Through Fraudulent Means – credit time served
On October 31, 2014, Sherrod stole the purse and SUV of a friend he was staying with in Englewood. Charlotte County Sheriff Deputies tried to pull him over after seeing the vehicle he was driving speeding. He refused to pull over and took off. Deputies lost sight of him. Sherrod then burglarized a convenience store in Englewood by throwing a heavy object through the glass door. He stole cigarettes, lottery tickets, and a drink and then took off again.
Deputies saw him again and he once again fled. At one time he even drove the stolen SUV at two different deputies in two different patrol cars. Each was able to avoid getting hit.
Sherrod then headed north on State Road 776 to Sarasota and then came back into Charlotte. He made his way back to I-75, now driving on almost just rims, as spike strips put in the road by deputies to disable the vehicle took out 3 of his 4 tires. He was still speeding, sometimes at speeds of up to 75 mph.
After going the wrong direction on a side street, he drove onto U.S. 41 and was stopped near Tucker’s Grade. He told deputies he wasn’t giving up, but the SUV ran out on him. He said he fled because he was on probation out of Iowa.
His sentences on today’s charges will run concurrently. Assistant State Attorney Scott Patterson handled this case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org