Friday, June 17, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Man gets prison time in assault on police officer

A man accused of trying to run over a Henderson police officer was sentenced Thursday to at least 19 months in prison.

Police said Howard Anthony Dipietro, of Las Vegas, was walking out of the Village Pub on Sunset Road in January 2004 when Gary Hargis approached him. Hargis ordered Dipietro to stop in the parking lot, but Dipietro got in his vehicle and then started driving toward the officer, prompting the officer to fire two shots, police said.

Dipietro and the officer were not injured.

Dipietro was originally charged with attempted murder of a police officer. In a plea agreement, the five-time felon pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon.

In the courtroom of District Judge Donald Mosley on Thursday, Dipietro said he wasn't trying to cause any harm.

"I never had any intention to hit the officer," Dipietro said, adding he tried to flee because he had outstanding warrants.

But Mosley seemed to question Dipietro's account, and the judge also noted the defendant's extensive prior criminal history.

"Sir, you have five (prior) felonies, and your rap sheet goes on and on and on," Mosley said. "You must like prison."

Mosley sentenced Dipietro to 19 to 48 months in prison. Dipietro was also given credit for the 455 days he's spent in jail awaiting sentencing, meaning he feasibly could be eligible for parole in a little more than four months.