A 29-year-old Akron man was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to multiple charges for dragging an officer hanging from his SUV for two blocks while fleeing from police.
Demardre L. Johnson, of Ninth Avenue, pleaded guilty in Summit County Common Pleas Court to felonious assault, resisting arrest, failure to comply, obstructing justice and driving under suspension.
Judge Scot Stevenson sentenced Johnson to seven years in prison on these charges and another three years for violating his probation. These two terms will be served concurrently, giving Johnson a total of seven years behind bars.
Johnson apologized for his actions before he was sentenced.
When Akron police officers pulled Johnson over Feb. 20 and asked for his driver’s license, Johnson said he didn’t have one. Officers asked him to step out of his SUV, and he refused. An officer opened the driver’s door and told Johnson to get out, and he again refused.
Police said Johnson shifted into drive. An officer grabbed Johnson’s arm and Johnson accelerated with the officer hanging on through the open vehicle door. The officer ordered Johnson to stop. Instead, Johnson swerved the vehicle, trying to dislodge the officer.
After two blocks, the officer let go, and Johnson drove away. Officers found Johnson’s vehicle crashed in the backyard of a nearby house, and Johnson in the backyard of another house.
The officer who was dragged, an eight-year veteran of the department, was treated at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.