By Joanna Putman
Police1
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man who pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder of a police officer earlier this year has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, FOX News reported.
“Today, bravery prevailed over cowardice and truth over irrational hate,” Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, said. “Federal law enforcement officers work every day to make our lives safer. When their lives are put at risk by someone who trained himself to fear police through fantastical internet videos, we will serve decisive justice to protect our protectors.”
Robert Benjamin Nelson, 31, was arrested in Sept. 2020 after he shot and wounded New Mexico State Police Sgt. Sharron Duran, who was working as a U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officer, according to the report.
Duran pulled Nelson over after seeing him drive too closely behind another vehicle. When Duran walked to the truck’s passenger window, Nelson shot at her three times with a handgun, shattering the window onto her face and eyes and wounding her hands as she put them up to shield herself.
Duran fell but quickly got back up to return fire, according to the report. She also pursued Nelson when he sped away in his vehicle until he stopped to retrieve another weapon. When backup arrived, Nelson was arrested without further incident.
Nelson pleaded guilty to charges of attempted murder of a federal task force officer and discharging a firearm during a federal crime of violence in March and was sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday.
“These types of shootings are brazened, violent acts, absolutely without justification and a threat to our entire community,” Raul Bujanda, FBI Special Agent in Charge, said. “An attack on a federal Task Force Officer is a federal crime with serious consequences. Today’s sentencing reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to ensure that all those responsible for violent crimes against law enforcement officers are brought to justice.”