31 Aug Claremore Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Assault on Police Officers
In the News
FOX 23 KFAQ Claremore Daily Progress Tulsa World KOTV
August 27, 2015 Christopher Coats plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon on four members of the Claremore Police Department.
It was October 2014 when police were pursing him for possession of a stolen vehicle when he barricaded himself in his home, opened a natural gas line and as four officers made entry held up a cigarette lighter saying “it’s gas”.
Officers had to retreat and warn others outside to take cover.
The Claremore Fire Department was called to the scene. Oklahoma Natural Gas workers arrived to turn off gas to Coats’ home and City of Claremore Power and Light employees shut off electricity to the entire block in an effort to reduce chances an outlet or light fixture could trigger an explosion. Nearby houses were evacuated as officials could smell natural gas a half a block away.
Once Coats surrendered to police the home was cleared and the stolen vehicle was located. Officers also found a bong, a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia and a baggie containing 136 Hydroxyzine pills.
Claremore Police Chief Stan Brown says “I find this case to be a good example of the true mission and goal of public safety providers, particularly our law enforcement. I am also encouraged by the District Attorney’s willingness to ensure that Coats is accountable for his actions to the fullest extent. This cooperative approach to law enforcement and public safety is truly a measure of the professionalism our members incorporate into our desire to provide an elevated quality of life for our citizens.”
Coats is a felon previously convicted of possession and burglary of an automobile.
He wept in court as he entered his pleas.
Rogers County District Attorney Matt Ballard says “Coats created a potentially deadly situation in assaulting our police officers and putting an entire neighborhood at risk. Our officers are in our community every day working to keep us all safe and we were determined to secure the harshest possible sentence for Coats.”
Below are the cases, charges, pleas and sentencing:
Christopher Nigel Coats DOB: 05/05/78
CF-2014-762
Plead guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison:
Four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon
Sentenced to 10 years in prison:
Knowingly concealing stolen property
Possession of a stolen vehicle
CF-2013-418
Plead nolo contendere and sentenced to 20 years in prison:
Feloniously pointing a firearm
All sentences to be served concurrently
No Comments