By Lisa Trigg
TERRE HAUTE — A Terre Haute man arrested in August after he was warned not to ride his motorcycle on the sidewalk has pleaded guilty to charges involving battery on a police officer.
Daryle Ray Powers, 42, appeared Monday in Vigo Superior Court Division 3, where he admitted to class-C felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury, class-D felony possession of methamphetamine, and class-A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement. His jury trial in the case was set to begin today.
The plea agreement calls for a nine-year prison sentence, with five years executed in the Department of Correction and four years suspended and on probation.
Judge David Bolk took the plea agreement under advisement and set March 8 for sentencing in the case.
Terre Haute Police had spotted Powers riding a motorcycle on a sidewalk near Pennsylvania and Lafayette avenues, and he was warned to stop. When an officer checked Powers’ driver’s license and found that it was suspended, the officer tried to handcuff Powers. But the suspect struggled with the officer, causing injuries to the officer that required treatment at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.
Powers ran from the scene, but witnesses reported that he tossed some items into a nearby trash can before he was apprehended a few blocks away. Police recovered 2.6 grams of methamphetamine and a large amount of cash from the trash can.
Police used stun guns to subdue Powers, who continued to struggle with police once apprehended.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
