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Man found guilty after assaulting police officer and citizen in Newport News

Posted at 2:07 PM, Oct 23, 2018
and last updated 2019-01-28 15:51:49-05

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – 45-year-old Gregory Sawyers was found guilty of assault and battery on January 28.

On October 20, Sawyer was arrested after assaulting a police officer and citizen in Newport News.

Gregory Sawyers

Around 1:50 a.m., on October 18, Newport News Police responded to a fight at the 7-11 in the 13300 block of Warwick Blvd.

When officers arrived they located a man, later identified as Gregory Sawyers, stumbling across the parking lot. According to officials, when officers approached the Sawyers asking for identification, he was combative with officers and resisted detainment.

Once Sawyer was detained, officers spoke with the employee of 7-11, who stated that Sawyers went into the store causing a scene. After employees asked him to leave, Sawyers assaulted a customer in the parking lot.

Officers spoke to the customer, a 37-year-old Newport News man, who said he was talking with a friend in the parking lot when Sawyers approached him, harassing him and calling him names.

According to officials, Sawyers was taken into custody and charged with drunk in public, assault, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, and obstruction of justice.

Sawyer had a preliminary hearing in Newport News General District Court on January 28 where he received the following disposition:

  • ASSAULT AND BATTERY – Guilty – Sentenced to 12 months, 12 months suspended, and 1 year of unsupervised probation.
  • ASSAULT AND BATTER ON LEO – Nolle prosequi
  • OBSTRUCT JUSTICE: OFFICIAL VICTIM – Nolle prosequi
  • PROFANE SWEARING/INTOXICATION IN PUBLIC – Nolle prosequi