Ex-trooper must serve time in halfway house
Former patrolman will also be on probation for 3 years
By Schuyler Kropf
A former Highway Patrol trooper who repeatedly kicked a suspect after a chase involving a dump truck was sentenced to serve time in a halfway house, avoiding what could have been 18 months behind bars.
Former Lance Cpl. John B. Sawyer was sentenced to three years of probation Tuesday, with the provision that he serve one year and one day in a halfway house.
The Post and Courier
Former South Carolina state trooper John B. Sawyer was sentenced to three years of probation and a year and a day in a halfway house.
The sentence by Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Norton was crafted partially because of the stressful duration of the 30-mile chase on Interstate 95, and because Sawyer, as a former member of law enforcement, would be a target in federal prison.
Also, his doctor and attorney argued Sawyer had been overcome by a bout with his diabetes, causing toxic levels of chemicals to alter his personality.
"It's not a defense," said his attorney, John O'Leary, inside the federal courthouse in Charleston. But "it is a mitigating factor," he said.
The attack became part of a highly publicized examination in South Carolina of abuse of civilians by various state troopers. Sawyer's was the last of three cases in which troopers were charged with civil rights violations in acts recorded on dashboard cameras.
In court Tuesday, Sawyer repeatedly choked back tears as he apologized to his family, law enforcement and also to the man he kicked, dump truck driver Sergio Caridi of New York.
"There was no way I would allow myself not to try to help," Sawyer said of his decision to join the chase that cost him his job.
Related stories
Second state trooper indicted, published 07/18/08
For additional stories, go to S.C. Highway Patrol - Special Report
"Do I think my diabetes played a part? Most definitely," he also said.
In May 2006, Sawyer, 34, of Latta, took a self-injection of his diabetes medicine. He was bleeding and started to head home to change his shirt when a radio call came in of a speeding dump truck heading south on I-95. Sawyer joined the chase.
What evolved was a bizarre and violent attempt to stop the truck in which authorities blew out six of the truck's 12 tires and fired at least 48 pistol and shotgun rounds trying to disable the vehicle. Speeds topped 90 mph. Caridi also allegedly attempted to strike Sawyer's vehicle.
When the pursuit ended in Sumter County, video shows Sawyer striking and kicking Caridi several times after he'd already been hit with a stun gun, and while he was being restrained by officers.
Sawyer resigned from the Highway Patrol in August 2006 and pleaded guilty in January to violating Caridi's civil rights. State charges still are pending against Caridi, including assault and battery with intent to kill, failure to stop for a blue light and resisting arrest.
Sawyer said he wished the day had gone differently. "I wish the good Lord had sent me to another wreck 20 miles away," he said.
Despite requests for leniency, Norton said time in a halfway house was warranted, given the nature of the abuse that officers on the scene said was out of proportion. Norton called what was recorded on the video 'pretty egregious conduct.'
"We totally respect Judge Norton's decision on this sentence," Assistant U.S. Attorney Alston Badger said afterward.
Based on good behavior, Sawyer could be released after completing 85 percent of his term.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 843-937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
rolemodel (anonymous) says...
Isnt it funny what law enforcement and other high officials get away with now days...just ask Cheney
June 24, 2009 at 4:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rolemodel (anonymous) says...
Isnt it funny what law enforcement and other high officials get away with now days...
June 24, 2009 at 4:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
BS JAIL NO HALFWAY HOUSE THIS IS SUCH BS
June 24, 2009 at 5:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wildbillz50 (anonymous) says...
Prosecute one of their own ? NEVER ! HE DESERVES TO DO REAL TIME!
June 24, 2009 at 6:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
As often as crimes are committed as reported weekly in this paper by criminals out on parole, released early, etc., this seems a little heavy handed to me. For sure we have to keep the governments' armed police force on a short leash. But still, most of them should have something in the bank, so to speak, for past good performance in protecting us from the barbarous elements among us.
June 24, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Theronce...by virtue of their positions, most of them already are given the benefit of the doubt & it appears that Sawyer's "money in the bank" is that he was kept out of federal prison.(& a 1yr. 1 day sentence means he'll be out of the halfway house in 10mos or so)
The effectiveness of LEO depends, in part, on the public's trust of their integrity & ethical behavior &, hence, they should be/are held to a higher standard.
It might not seem fair, considering the stressful circumstances under which they must function, but they MUST be "above" it all.
Unbridled wrong doing coupled with unbridled authority & power...well, I don't need to paint that picture.
June 24, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nopartisan_noproblem (anonymous) says...
He didn't just get in a fight, while off duty. He took advantage of somebody in a vulnerable situation, and felt like taking his power and displaying it. He should have did time. I don't care if he would have been a target. He should have known that if ever violated the law he would be vulnerable while locked up, this should have even further deterred him from abusing his authority. Kicking and hitting the guy while the other cops were holding him, what a b!#$*.
June 24, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
"Also, his doctor and attorney argued Sawyer had been overcome by a bout with his diabetes, causing toxic levels of chemicals to alter his personality."
Additionally, this is pretty much BS. People in a diabetic crisis to the extent that it alters a personality become increasingly non-functional & end up in the ER. There is no indication from the reports put forth that this was the case with Sawyer.
I have to wonder if the prosecutor would respect this sentence if it had been an average Joe. The prosecutors need to keep LE on their side so they can keep those convictions coming.
June 24, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...
Wow can I commit a crime and get away with it? Its a wonder we have any faith left in the "system"
June 24, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...
B.S As long as they keep putting these officers in time-out, they will always rebel! It's time to show & prove!
June 24, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tharris55 (anonymous) says...
he should have kicked the crap out of that guy. I think he deserves a raise. I think we should beat all criminals who put average drivers in extreme danger
June 24, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
What a miscarriage of justice. This guy belongs in prison.
June 24, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
*blows Harold a kiss*
I completely agree with you Harold.
He is held up to a much higher standard than you or I.
I have to trust that those that are either elected or hired to protect us and the letter of the law not take said law into their own hands.
Two wrongs do not make a right.
abitskep said it best "It might not seem fair, considering the stressful circumstances under which they must function, but they MUST be "above" it all."
June 24, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
parrotheadbaby (anonymous) says...
I guess since everyone thinks this police officer should go to prison. what about the suspect? What about his crimes? Excessive force, they couldn't stop him? He obviously didn't want to stop. What just sit on our hands and let him go. If he was headed back to New York, then I guess it would have been ok.
June 24, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RalphieParker (anonymous) says...
He didn't do anything wrong. The scumbag was a felon, endangering lives and got what he had coming to him. He's just lucky "fleeing felon" laws are no longer around but then he'd have really gotten what he had coming to him.
SUPPORT THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL
June 24, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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