Guilty plea in assault on RRAD police officer

Dontrell McChester
Dontrell McChester

A Hooks, Texas, man who assaulted a Red River Army Depot police officer with his car in September pleaded guilty Monday morning in a federal court in Texarkana.

Dontrell McChester, 33, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven with Texarkana lawyer Michael Friedman for a change of plea hearing on a charge of assaulting a federal officer. McChester has been in federal custody since his arrest on the charge Sept. 11.

As Craven asked McChester a series of routine questions, McChester appeared confused and a short recess was taken to give him time to visit with Friedman and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Hornok about his plea agreement. After resuming the hearing, Craven questioned McChester about a factual basis document detailing the illegal conduct that led to McChester's charge.

McChester said he found the document mostly accurate but denied he was impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense as stated in the document.

"I wasn't under the influence," McChester said. "I just had it on me."

It was the smell of marijuana emanating from McChester's vehicle that led RRAD police officers to attempt to stop McChester as he entered the depot's main gate, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. McChester was asked to get out of his car, which he did, while officers began an inspection. As the officers began the inspection, McChester ran from them, jumped back in his car and tried to drive away.

An officer was injured during McChester's attempted flight and was exposed to pepper spray as it was used to bring McChester under control and into custody.

Hornok said he believes the factual basis document did accurately describe McChester's condition at the time of the offense but said he would not object to removing the reference to intoxication from the document.

Friedman said McChester would agree to house arrest, an electronic monitor or other restrictions if the court would grant him freedom. Craven said that federal law governing detention does not include a mechanism to release an in-custody defendant at a plea hearing.

McChester will return to court for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III after the court has received a presentence investigation report including a recommendation for punishment under federal guidelines.

McChester faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000, or both.

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