SUFFOLK
A jury Monday recommended six years in prison and a $2,500 fine for Javon L. Sawyer, 27. Sawyer was charged with giving a false name to police officers and escaping by force or violence from an officer who was taking him to Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
Prosecutor Charlotte Purkey called Sawyer a "career criminal." He got his first petty larceny conviction when he was 9 years old, she said. Since then, he's been charged with a string of crimes, from possession of stolen property to possession of cocaine, Purkey said.
Police were looking for Sawyer on three felony warrants when they saw him walking down the street. When they asked, they said he gave them a false name, but officers were able to check their computer and eventually arrested him.
Officer Tyron Langston testified he was escorting Sawyer out of police headquarters, on the way to jail, when Sawyer pushed him and ran.
Sawyer, when he testified in his own defense, claimed Langston had threatened him, and he ran because he was afraid of Langston. The outstanding warrants were served, and Sawyer got the two additional charges for which he was tried Monday.
Sawyer is to be sentenced Sept. 12. Meanwhile, he'll be in court again next month for receiving stolen goods and possession of cocaine, Purkey said.
Linda McNatt, (757) 222-5561, linda.mcnatt@pilotonline.com
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