BAY MINETTE – A 27-year-old Bon Secour man pleaded guilty this week to dragging a Foley police officer with a moving vehicle as the officer was attempting to arrest him.
Foley police initially pulled Anthony Taylor over for not wearing a seatbelt and for tossing a napkin containing methadone pills out of the car window, Assistant District Attorney Michaelyn Gober said. “When told he was under arrest for the drugs, Taylor fled, dragging the officer 20-30 feet as the officer was reaching for the keys.
“He then led police on a high-speed chase with his two-year-old son in the car with him. When police were finally able to stop him, Taylor exited the vehicle using his baby as a shield and he resisted arrest,” Gober said. The incident took place in September 2009.
Taylor entered a blind plea, meaning there was no pre-determined agreement with prosecutors on a sentence, in Baldwin County Circuit Court this week, to Assault II and Possession of a Controlled Substance, both felonies, and a slew of misdemeanors and traffic violations, including Resisting Arrest and Reckless Endangerment. Sentencing is set for January 12. Each felony carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Baldwin County District Attorney Hallie Dixon praised Foley police for bringing the incident to a safe conclusion and ensuring the safety of Taylor’s child. “This is a perfect example of the dangers police officers face every day, when any traffic stop can spiral into a dangerous situation.”