Sterling enters Alford plea
A Troy man arrested after allegedly flashing a handgun last year during an incident at a former girlfriend’s home has struck a plea deal with prosecutors.
Johnny D. Sterling, 62, entered an Alford plea to a single count of felony assault with a weapon in Lincoln County District Court on May 10. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains their innocence, but acknowledges the heft of the evidence against them.
Sterling originally was brought up on a slew of charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon, carrying a concealed weapon under the influence, partner or family member assault, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence and an open container violation.
In exchange for the Alford plea, prosecutors agreed to drop all remaining charges. They will recommend he receive a deferred, six-year imposition of sentence.
Police officers in Troy arrested Sterling about 9:09 p.m., Oct. 18 after dispatchers received a call from an individual claiming he pulled out a handgun when asked to leave a local home. In an affidavit, Troy Police officer Michael Miller recalled responding to the scene.
He met with Sterling’s ex, who alleged that her former partner had previously threatened to slit her throat. Sterling had arrived that night and sat outside her home, blasting music. When the woman’s daughter went out and told him to leave or they would call the cops, Sterling allegedly waved around a handgun, court documents said.
Walking back to his patrol car, Miller recounted spotting movement in the cab of a nearby truck. Approaching it, he spotted Sterling inside, who tried to hide as Miller knocked on the window and announced himself.
Backup, in the form of Troy Police Chief Katie Davis and Sgt. Henry Roy, joined Miller at the vehicle. Miller opened the door and ordered Sterling to show his hands. Meanwhile, Davis announced that Sterling had a gun. Roy drew his service pistol and Miller pulled out his Taser.
According to the affidavit, Sterling placed his hands on the truck’s dashboard and allegedly denied having a gun. Davis told him it was stuck in his front right waistband. When Sterling allegedly reached for it, Roy grabbed him.
Miller wrote that he pulled out the loaded handgun and a knife.
Sterling was taken into custody and loaded into a police vehicle shortly thereafter. Miller reported that he was uncooperative and his speech was slurred. Upon arrival at the Lincoln County Detention Center, an officer located a pipe smelling of marijuana on Sterling’s person, court documents said.
While Sterling declined giving a breath sample to investigators, Miller found a drink in a plastic cup located inside the cab, according to court documents.
Sterling is expected to receive his sentence June 21.