Man who tried to shoot Pismo Beach police officer gets life in prison
A man who aimed a gun at a Pismo Beach police officer’s head during a traffic stop was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years plus 15 years to life in state prison.
Charles Nelson Ammons, 50, was found guilty on Nov. 21 of premeditated attempted murder of a peace officer with a gun and resisting a peace officer by use of force, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office.
On April 15, 2022, Pismo Beach Police Cprl. Chris Siglin was on uniformed motorcycle patrol when he attempted to stop Ammons’ van from making an illegal turn in Pismo Beach, according to the release.
After ignoring lights and sirens, hand gestures, loudspeaker and verbal commands to pull over, Ammons pointed a semi-automatic handgun at Siglin’s head and pulled the trigger when Siglin opened the driver side door.
The gun did not fire because the bullets were loaded backwards, allowing Siglin and Pismo Beach Officer Tyler Smith to wrestle Ammons to the ground with the help of two off-duty Santa Maria police officers, who were enjoying a Pismo Beach afternoon, according to the release.
Following a hung jury in September, Ammons was retried in November and found guilty.
In the first trial, Ammons was convicted of assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, possession of a non-registered loaded firearm in a vehicle and driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level exceeding .20% while having two prior convictions for DUI.
The second trial saw the jury find true several factors of aggravation, including the facts that the crimes involved great violence, threat of great bodily harm or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness.
The jury also found that the defendant used a weapon when he committed the crimes, that the victim officer was particularly vulnerable and that the defendant engaged in violent conduct that indicates a serious danger to society.
“Our community owes Officer Chris Siglin a debt of gratitude for his selfless service to our community,” District Attorney Dan Dow said in the release. “I am grateful that this defendant has received what is essentially a life sentence in prison today. Law enforcement professionals are our neighbors, friends and family members who deserve our continual support and respect. When they have been victimized, they deserve justice.”
Ammons will next appear in court March 24 at 8:30 a.m. to determine the amount of restitution owed.
