DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A man being held in the Douglas County jail after he was charged with trying to steal his mother’s car has been sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to strangle a deputy while awaiting trial.
Matthew Farmen, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree assault of a peace officer while in custody, according to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. As part of a plea bargain, other counts against him were dismissed.
The incident occurred on Sept. 20, 2018, when prosecutors said Farmen asked the deputy to help move a mattress in his cell. When the deputy went inside, Farmen attacked him and wrapped his arm around his neck, putting him in a chokehold, the release says.
The victim, who was not identified, asked the judge that Farmen receive the maximum sentence so “this does not happen to another deputy or correctional officer.”
The judge agreed, citing this case and two previous deferred judgments.
For the original theft case, Farmen received four years in prison that will be served concurrently with his sentence for the assault on the deputy, according to the release.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Local stories from 9NEWS
