Man found guilty of attempted murder in attack on deputy

Deputy saved by Good Samaritan

A LaPlace man was convicted of attempted first degree murder of a peace officer after authorities say he and his pit bull attacked a deputy during a traffic stop last year.

Jerry Simmons, 48, was also found guilty of resisting arrest by force or violence and disarming a peace officer. He is facing a minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of 50 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections. The sentence will be imposed without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

Additionally, Simmons will not qualify for early release for good behavior. Judge Robert Chaisson is scheduled to sentence Simmons on Oct. 12.

“We wanted to send a clear message that anytime someone attacks a law enforcement officer, we will prosecute that individual to the fullest extent of the law,” District Attorney Harry Morel Jr. said.

According to authorities, Simmons was pulled over on River Road in New Sarpy around 11 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2010 after  deputy Thomas Plaisance, with the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office, observed him speeding and swerving in the roadway.

After he was pulled over, Simmons refused to take a sobriety test and the officer attempted to put him under arrest.

Simmons then began to forcefully resist arrest, calling on a pit bull he had in the truck to attack the officer. Plaisance fired a shot at the dog, which caused the pit bull to run away.

The struggle continued with Simmons striking Plaisance in the head several times and gaining control of the officer’s gun. The quick-thinking deputy was able to eject the magazine of the weapon during the struggle.

The incident ended when a resident who lived nearby arrived and knocked Simmons off of the deputy. The officer then deployed his Taser on Simmons and arrested him.

“We are thankful that our deputy will fully recover and for the help of a resident who saw the need to intervene,” Champagne said at the time of the arrest. “This incident illustrates the dangers law enforcement officers nationwide routinely face just trying to do their job.”

Simmons is also a registered, convicted sex offender.