Anthony Duane Brown
Photo Courtesy: AccessKent.com
Willie Lee Williams
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- A judge has granted a reduced sentence to a man who, while incarcerated at the Kent County Jail, stopped another inmate's attack on a corrections officer.
Antonio Duane Brown, 31, was called back to Kent County Circuit Judge Mark Trusock's courtroom Thursday, were he was granted time served for a conviction on fleeing and eluding charges.
Kent County deputies say Brown stepped in and saved a female corrections officer during an attack by Willie Lee Williams, 20, the morning of Sept. 14.
Williams was allegedly trying to escape when he sat on top of the jailer, choking her. During their struggle, they opened several cell doors in Williams' cell block -- and one of the doors was to Brown's cell.
According to deputies and the judge, Brown pulled Williams off the corrections officer and kept him from continuing his attack.
Judge Trusock sentenced Brown to 1.5-5.0 years in prison last week on the fleeing and eluding charge, but in the wake of the attack Trusock reconsidered and called for the resentencing.
"You intervened at your own peril, quite bravely, pulled that individual off of her, probably saved her life, and protected her from him attacking her again," transcripts show Trusock saying during Thursday's hearing. "I think this was something that you did that was heroic, that was brave and honorable. And I think it needs to be taken into effect in your sentencing."
The judge gave Brown a sentence of 149 days -- the time he has already served on the fleeing and eluding sentence. He will also have to pay $198 in state and Crime Victim Rights fees.
Judge Trusock assumed Brown would be released a short time after his sentencing, but Brown is being held in the Kent County Jail for a probation violation out of Indiana. If prosecutors in that state decide not to pursue the charge, Brown could be released as soon as Friday, according to corrections officers.
Brown has a criminal record of convictions for aggravated assault, drunk driving and drug possession.