Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Jarred Javon Ford, 35, of St. Petersburg, Florida was sentenced January 4, 2023 to 10 years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon after being involved in a shootout with Nash County deputies on I-95, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina. “This is the statutory maximum sentence available for this offense. Ford also faces attempted murder charges in state court,” stated the release.

Ford was found guilty by a federal jury in 2022.

“This case was a violent shooting of a law enforcement officer that, thankfully, did not result in a loss of life,” stated U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michel Easley. “Due to the quick reaction of the deputy who was able to return fire, this felon was apprehended. My office stands by law enforcement, and we will continue to vigorously prosecute those who attack the men and women to put their lives on the line to protect us.”

“During a traffic stop in Nash County, Ford fired over a dozen rounds at Deputies Shelby Smith and William Toney,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone. “With the training the Deputies had received, they were able to bring Ford into custody after a gun battle which left Deputy Toney shot four times and bleeding badly. Deputy Smith and Deputy Toney are true heroes. As noted by Franklin D. Roosevelt ‘Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.’ Men and women of law enforcement don a badge each and every day willing to lay down their life. I am grateful for the ongoing partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s office, working together with law enforcement at every level, to protect our communities from violence. We remain vigilant and dedicated to our duty to protect and serve.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Ford was speeding on Interstate 95 and Nash County deputies conducted a traffic stop based on the speeding violation. “One of the deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle as she interacted with Ford and asked Ford step out of the vehicle,” stated the release. “The second deputy arrived on the scene as back up and stood by Ford as the first deputy explained to Ford, she had smelled marijuana. Ford indicated there was marijuana in the car.  She explained to Ford that she was going to search him, and his car, and Ford began to struggle with the deputies. Ford pulled a gun out of his pocket and discharged it multiple times, striking one of the deputies in both arms and his hip. The other deputy was able to return fire and struck Ford multiple times.”

Ford testified in his own defense at his trial and admitted to possessing the firearm and to shooting the Nash County deputy. Ford said he discharged his firearm at least four to five times until his gun jammed, stated the release.

Easley made the announcement after the sentencing was concluded. U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle presided over the sentencing. Nash County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aakash Singh and Charity Wilson prosecuted the case.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!