Felon Convicted of Fighting with Officer and Trying to Use the Officer’s Gun

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Criminal Court Division obtained a conviction against a convicted felon who fought with a police officer and tried to take the officer’s gun. Following a two-day trial, Teros Anderson Sweeney, 41, was convicted of Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Impersonation. Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on April 15.

At trial, Assistant District Attorney Randall Kilby explained to the jury that on May 31, 2014, Knoxville Police Department Officer Darrell Sexton responded to a domestic disturbance at 2106 Texas Avenue. Ofc. Sexton located Sweeney outside the apartment building, and Sweeney provided a false name and social security number. As Ofc. Sexton attempted to place Sweeney under arrest for Criminal Impersonation, Sweeney became combative and fought with Ofc. Sexton. Sweeney continued fighting with Ofc. Sexton even after Ofc. Sexton deployed his taser against Sweeney. After the taser was ineffective, Sweeney tried to remove Ofc. Sexton’s pistol from his holster. The two wrestled and fought over control of the gun before Ofc. Sexton was able to recover the weapon and discharge one round, striking Sweeney in the legs. Sweeney has a prior Robbery conviction and was wanted at the time by the United States Marshal’s Service for Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

“This case highlights the very real dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day,” said DA Charme Allen.”Luckily, Ofc. Sexton was able to gain control of a potentially lethal situation. Because of his hard work, Sweeney is off the streets of our community.”

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors will ask for the maximum sentence due to the nature of the offense and Sweeney’s multiple prior convictions for violent crimes. Because Sweeney is a Range II Multiple Offender, Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between six and ten years. Prosecutors will also ask to run this sentence consecutive to Sweeney’s federal robbery and firearm sentence.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.