Inmate sentenced for choking guard

CLAYTON, Mo. -- A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for choking a St. Louis County Justice Center guard last year in an attempted escape.

A judge ordered Dedric Rash, 29, to serve the sentence consecutive to a 50-year term he already is serving for an attempted abduction of a college student last year.

Rash had been convicted and was awaiting sentencing last year in the attempted kidnapping when he attacked Leonard Hines, who suffered rope burns before breaking free.

A prosecutor said authorities later found 150 feet of rope in Rash's jail locker.