Officer wounded in 2021 Sheffield police shooting pleads guilty to assault
FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — A former Sheffield police Lieutenant has pleaded guilty to assault following a 2022 incident at a Florence liquor store.
According to court documents, Max Ryan Dotson entered a plea agreement to third-degree assault. He was sentenced to time served and fined $25.
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In July of 2023, Dotson was found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment and menacing charges after an off-duty incident in Florence, where court documents say Dotson and another man “fought” inside the Good Spirits store.
Dotson was fired from the police department after being found guilty.
Documents state the court added conditions to Dotson’s bond specifically saying he could have no contact with the victim, Demarcus Key, and he could not have any guns in possession pending appeal.
On May 5, Dotson was arrested for a DUI. A rifle was found in his backseat, violating those conditions and causing his bond to be revoked. Documents filed on August 7 said he had been in solitary confinement since his arrest.
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On May 8, his bond was revoked. The document for setting a reasonable bond said Dotson received grief counseling for 10 months.
The document says Dotson has grown a debt of over $20,000 since he was arrested and his home is currently under foreclosure. He has also lost his health insurance coverage for himself and his children.
Dotson is also missing “milestone moments” with his children as his daughter starts school, volleyball and bowling seasons.
Documents say Dotson is in urgent need of dental care and he will remain in compliance with Court Referral.
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On July 9, the State of Alabama filed a motion to continue the trial set for August 19. After the motion for a reasonable bond, the court reset his trial date for December 16.
A hearing was set for August 12 to set, reduce or amend Dotson’s bond following the second motion to set bond after it was revoked.
At that hearing, Dotson entered a guilty plea for third-degree assault. The circuit court of Lauderdale County also filed a document to release Dotson from jail the same day.
He also agreed to a lifetime with no contact with Key.
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