RAVENNA, Ohio — Matthew Ziegler was back in Portage County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday morning where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated robbery and assault of a peace officer connected to an incident that happened last July in Ravenna.
Judge Becky L. Doherty, who presided over the sentencing hearing, ultimately gave the 33-year-old Ziegler three years on a firearm specification that must be served before he begins a nine to 12 year sentence.
“I appreciate that you took responsibility, but again that doesn’t mean that a significant prison sentence isn’t warranted based on your behavior and your disregard for their well-being, the officers’ well-being and your own," Judge Doherty said.
We streamed the entire sentencing hearing, which you can watch in the video below:
Judge Doherty said Ziegler, who will be on post-release control for a period of two to five years, is being given credit for his time already served.
"Honestly, the fact that you survived this incident because they very, quite frankly and even as part of their training, could have made sure that you weren’t a threat," Judge Doherty said. "So I honestly commend them for dealing with your behavior and your aggression in a way that resulted in you still breathing because it could’ve gone very, very differently for them and for you.”
Prior to her sentence being revealed, Judge Doherty asked Ziegler if he had anything to say.
“I don’t," he replied before turning to the courtroom and saying "sorry."
In her closing comments, Judge Doherty told Ziegler she hopes he receives the mental health and substance abuse assistance that he needs.
"You will be back out into the community," she said. "This is certainly not a life sentence and you are a young man, but this behavior is honestly too dangerous, too threatening to the well-being of the community and the officers and yourself.”
CASE DETAILS
Ziegler’s guilty plea came in early April just days before his trial was slated to start.
The case dates back to July 13 when authorities said Ziegler drove to the Ravenna Police Department around 10:02 p.m. and stopped his vehicle in the roadway.
“He then began to vandalize one of the marked Ravenna police cruisers parked in front of the police station,” according to a press release from Ravenna police last summer.
After seeing the alleged activity on surveillance cameras, Ravenna police officers exited the building.
You can watch surveillance video of the incident in the player below:
“Upon doing so, Ziegler immediately charged the first officer and attempted to strike him in the face,” according to the initial press release. “The second officer then deployed a Taser, and Ziegler was not affected. Ziegler continued swinging his closed fists and trying to punch officers.”
Ziegler is then accused of grabbing a second officer around the neck, and they both fell to the ground.
“During the attack, Ziegler tried to take the second officer’s holstered duty weapon, but was unsuccessful,” police said. “With the assistance of additional officers, Ziegler was placed under arrest.”