MEDINA, Ohio — Dante Tate, one of three suspects arrested in connection with a deadly pursuit that claimed the life of Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis, entered a pair of guilty pleas in Medina County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday.
After previously pleading not guilty to both charges following his March 31 arrest in Elyria, Tate pleaded guilty to charges of failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer and receiving stolen property on Monday. The failure to comply charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 36 months, while the receiving stolen property charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 18 months.
Tate is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 8.
Two others—21-year-old Zachary Love and 20-year-old Emin Johnson—were taken into custody in Northwest Ohio after officer Francis was struck and killed while attempting to deploy stop sticks amid the pursuit along I-75.
Officer Francis was laid to rest on April 8 in Bluffton. His family was presented the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart in his honor during the funeral.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- RELATED: Bluffton police officer struck and killed by vehicle on I-75, with chase ending in Elyria; 3 people arrested
- RELATED: 3 suspects identified after pursuit involving death of Bluffton officer Dominic Francis
- RELATED: Ohio State Highway Patrol dashcam video shows chase of suspect wanted for murder of Bluffton police officer
- RELATED: Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis remembered at funeral
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in a previous story regarding the funeral for officer Francis on April 8, 2022.