COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Bronson man was sentenced on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court after entering guilty pleas to a pair of charges that were filed in connection with a violent domestic dispute and an angry confrontation with police last month.
28-year-old Trent Joseph Smith was given a one year jail sentence and two years of probation for assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer and domestic violence. In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors dismissed a charge of malicious destruction of police or fire property. Smith was also given 54 days credit for time already served and any jail time over six months was suspended over probation.
Smith was ordered to pay over $1,200 in fines and court costs.
According to Branch County court records, Smith was previously convicted of assault back in 2008.
Court documents say Smith allegedly struck a woman with a closed fist numerous times during the domestic incident. Police were called by a young teenage boy who witnessed what happened. Smith fled but was later detained by police. Court documents also state that Smith allegedly kicked the rear window of a Bronson patrol car with both feet.
He was later tasered by Bronson Police Chief Stephen Johnson after resisting Branch County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Jim Holt.
