Man found guilty of assaulting Advance police officer

A man accused of assaulting an Advance police officer was found guilty last week.

Scotty Hooe was found guilty of second-degree assault of a law enforcment officer and armed criminal action.

According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver, on a change of venue from Stoddard County, the jury returned its guilty verdict in 16 minutes.

On Oct. 17, Advance police chief Donnie Bohnsack reportedly was requested by Stoddard County dispatch to make contact with a careless and imprudent driver that had been reported.

Upon making contact with Hooe, Bohnsack reportedly saw a .45-caliber pistol lying next to the Hooe's leg. When Bohnsack instructed him not to move, Hooe allegedly brought the gun toward the Bohnsack.

Bohnsack reportedly grabbed the barrel of the gun and wrestled it away from Hooe.

During the trial, Hooe's attorney said that the gun was a single-action revolver and must be cocked to fire, and since Hooe did not cock the gun, he did not mean any harm to the officer.

Hooe then reportedly got out of the vehicle and came at Bohnsack, backing him across the road, at which time Bohnsack used his stun gun on Hooe.

The armed criminal action charge carries a punishment range of from three years in prison to life. The assault of a law enforcement officer charge has a penalty of up to seven years.

Pertinent address:

Advance, Mo.