CASPER, WY — A 21‑year‑old man from Casper could receive a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison after entering an Alford guilty plea to two counts of felony interference for biting two Casper police officers during an April disturbance.
Alford plea and charges
The defendant, Sylvester Jakeson Seaton, pleaded guilty under an Alford plea before Natrona County District Judge Kerri Johnson on Tuesday. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution’s evidence would likely result in a conviction. The court will rely on the police report for the factual basis of the charges.
Incident details
According to the affidavit, officers responded to a reported disturbance at a trailer on Kearny Avenue on the night of April 19. When they approached the trailer, they observed three individuals inside: Seaton, a 20‑year‑old woman and a 27‑year‑old man carrying a box cutter. The woman instructed the man to drop the knife and stop “tweaking.” The man later claimed he had cut himself.
Officers noted that Seaton appeared confused, dazed and possibly intoxicated. When officers attempted to detain him, Seaton resisted. While being handcuffed, he allegedly pulled away, was taken to the ground, and then grabbed one officer’s testicles through his pants, yanking them. He also bit the other officer on the shin hard enough to leave a bruise.
In response, the officer who had been grabbed struck Seaton in the face twice, which the report described as “effective.” A nearby patrol unit arrived with a WRAP full‑body restraint system. While being restrained, Seaton continued to struggle, lifted his head, and bit the upper right groin area of the officer who had previously been grabbed, breaking the skin and ripping the officer’s pants. The officer initially thought he had been stabbed.
Both officers used fist strikes to gain control, and once Seaton was secured in the WRAP, he was taken to the Natrona County jail. Both officers received medical evaluation at a hospital.
Legal proceedings and potential sentence
Prosecutor Pat LeBrun’s agreement with the defense allows the state to request up to eight years in prison on the two concurrent felony interference counts. Seaton and his public defender, Marty Scott, may still argue for alternatives such as probation or participation in the Youthful Offender Transition Program.
During an earlier appearance on April 20, Seaton claimed he had been “overstimulated” and felt “roofied” the night of the incident. Public defender Scott raised a question to the judge about whether the officers were acting in the lawful performance of their duties.
Bail and custody
Judge Cynthia Sweet initially set Seaton’s bond at $50,000 cash or surety in April. At the recent hearing, Judge Johnson reduced the bond to $25,000 cash or surety. Seaton remains in custody pending sentencing.
Community impact
The case underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with individuals who resist detention and resort to violence. Casper police officials emphasized that the officers acted to protect themselves and the public while following department protocols.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
