Man Sentenced To 30 Years In Prison After Using An Infant As A ‘Human Shield’ During Police Chase
Jessie James Peterson, a 36-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida, was given 30 years in federal prison on Thursday. This is after he was found guilty on several charges in relation to a 2019 escape attempt.
Peterson was sentenced after a three-day trial. It was noted that he has an extensive criminal history.
In 2019, Peterson was pulled over after being observed following too closely on another vehicle. He was also altering lanes without warning, almost causing a car wreck.
As deputies were walking up to his car, he drove off and purposely hit a detective’s car. A police pursuit then began and ended when Peterson crashed into a ditch.
When police got to his vehicle, they saw two small kids inside. Peterson was using an infant as a “human shield.” Eventually, authorities gained access to the children.
Later, a gun, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine were found in Peterson’s vehicle.
Peterson was found guilty of aggravated battery of a police officer, driving with a suspended license, and two counts of child abuse. Aggravated fleeing, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance were also charges he was convicted of.
Prior to this, he was given 20 years in prison and $100,000 fine for drug trafficking in 2019.
