Man who pulled gun on cops gets 6 years in plea deal

A Queens man who led Long Beach police on a high-speed car chase through the city last year and struggled with two officers after threatening them with a gun was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday after he pleaded guilty to a number of charges in Nassau County court in Mineola.

Ryan Jones, 19, of Jamaica, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, menacing a police officer and leaving the scene of an accident with physical injury. He received a promised sentence of six years in exchange for his pleas, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said.

On July 22, 2009, Jones was pursued through Long Beach by officers Rocco Walsh and Kelly Graham, an incident that ended when he pulled a handgun from his waistband and Walsh and Graham wrestled it out of his hands. Rice said that at approximately 11 p.m. that night, Jones, who was driving a Chevrolet Malibu, sideswiped another vehicle on West Beech Street and did not stop. The driver of that vehicle followed Jones and notified a nearby police officer about what had happened.

As police pursued Jones, Rice said, he veered into the opposite lane of traffic to avoid them and continued east on West Beech Street. Rice said that after leading police through downtown Long Beach, Jones stopped his car on Grand Boulevard and West Broadway.

As the officers approached, Jones reached into the glove compartment and then got out of his car, according to the police report. The officers saw Jones grab at his waistband, and when they approached him, he began to flee. Walsh caught up to him, at which point, police said, Jones pulled a loaded .22 caliber handgun from his waistband and turned it on the officers. Walsh and Graham grabbed Jones and Walsh grasped the side of the gun in an effort to prevent him from firing it, police said.

The two officers wrestled Jones to the ground, but he continued to resist arrest, and his gun was within inches of the officers' faces, according to the police report. A third officer arrived and helped to subdue Jones. Police officials said that the officers were in fear for their lives and yet managed to gain control of Jones and place him under arrest. Officer Graham suffered a black eye and contusions to her hand and was treated at Long Beach Medical Center.

“These two police officers showed incredible bravery when they put the safety of the community above their own,” Rice said. “Thanks to their actions and the work of the prosecutors on this case, Mr. Jones is off the streets and spending the next six years of his life in a prison cell.”

Police said they were pleased to hear about the conviction. “Graham and Walsh displayed professionalism and used great restraint, and they were in a life-and-death situation,” said Detective Lt. James Canner. “[Jones] violently fought with the officers and the gun came within inches of the officers several times during the struggle. Their police training and good tactics, along with their incredible bravery, saved the lives of themselves and others that day.”

Not much is known about Jones, police said. While Assistant District Attorney Jessica Heegan of Nassau County's Street Narcotics and Gang Bureau handled the case for the D.A.'s office, police said it was unknown if Jones was a gang member.

“The defendant did make an admission to one of the detectives that he purchased the firearm from a gang member in Queens,” Canner said. “We don't see this type of crime or activity in Long Beach.”

Walsh and Graham were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal On Memorial Day for their actions in the incident. “I couldn't be more proud,” said Police Commissioner Thomas R. Sofield. “These fine officers showed tremendous courage and restraint under the most trying of circumstances. Their mental and physical fortitude was exceptional. The actions of these officers went well above what could have been expected of anyone under these conditions. Their actions are to be applauded.”

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