INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The man authorities say tried to kill a Sheriff’s deputy two years ago has been found guilty of attempted second degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
Wesley Clark, 30, was found guilty after his trial last week, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Clark was tried on charges of attempted second degree murder of a law enforcement officer and fleeing and eluding, according to the release.
Clark was found guilty on both counts and now faces sentencing on Oct. 7.
On Aug. 11, 2013, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Indian River County Sheriff’s Dep. Brian Bell stopped a vehicle for speeding on County Road 512 near Interstate 95, according to authorities. During the traffic stop he began to struggle with the passenger when the driver, later identified as Wesley Clark, put the vehicle into gear and dragged Dep. Bell alongside the vehicle.
“We are glad that Deputy Bell was not seriously injured by the reckless actions of Wesley Clark two years ago,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar in a prepared statement. “(Clark)will now have to pay for that behavior. Our deputies put their lives on the line every night and we are glad to see justice served anytime they are threatened.”
The minimum mandatory sentencing for attempted second degree murder of a law enforcement officer is 25 years.