Jury recommends 20 years for North Carolina man in local assault case

Jun. 13—WILLIAMSBURG — A North Carolina man charged with assaulting two Williamsburg Police officers last fall has been convicted by a Whitley County jury that is also recommending the maximum sentence.

Whitley County Commonwealth's Ronnie Bowling announced Wednesday that Brandon Howard Oakley, 31, of Charlotte, NC, was convicted of four counts of third-degree Assault (on a police officer) as well as Terroristic Threatening, Resisting Arrest, and being a first-degree Persistent Felony Offender.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred last September in which WPD received a call about an argument between a male and female at East West Market along US 25W.

During that encounter, Officer Steven Hill and Officer Dorman Patrick Jr. were injured while arresting Oakley. Ofc. Hill was kicked in the face and Ofc. Patrick suffered a broken finger and possible fractured finger to his right hand.

WPD reported at the time that Oakley spit on both officers as well as other first responders, fought and resisted arrest for several minutes. He was also accused of assaulting an ER hospital staff member.

"After hearing Oakley's lengthy criminal history from North Carolina (and lack of punishment), a Whitley County jury had little issue returning the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison," Bowling stated.

Oakley is scheduled to be formally sentenced on July 1. He remained lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center at press time.