By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A Canadian County Jail inmate already facing 12 years in prison for allegedly stealing a car and breaking into a house now faces five more years for allegedly punching a detention officer.
Oklahoma City’s Tristan Kane Sandlin, 26, is accused of “willfully and unlawfully striking” victim David Easter “in the head and body with his fists”, according to court documents.
Sandlin was formally charged Sept. 21 with assault and battery on a detention officer in Canadian County District Court.
The incident reportedly occurred Aug. 22 at the Canadian County Jail, 304 N Evans.
Canadian County Assistant District Attorney John Salmon alleges Sandlin assaulted the county jail employee with the “intent to injure” him while knowing he was “performing the duties of a detention officer.”
The felony crime is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $500 fine.
A preliminary hearing conference is set Oct. 11 before Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar.
Sandlin has been housed at Canadian County’s detention center since April 2, when he was booked for second-degree burglary and larceny of a motor vehicle.
He was formally charged with two felony counts five days later in Canadian County District Court.
CAR THEFT, HOME BREAK-IN
Prosecutor Austin T. Murrey charged the Oklahoma City resident after an investigation by El Reno Police.
Sandlin is accused of “wrongfully taking and carrying away” a Ford Focus without the consent of car’s owner, an El Reno resident, “with the intent to steal said automobile,” court documents show.
The defendant allegedly broke into a structure on Stone Glen Drive in El Reno intending to steal property inside.
The auto larceny crime is punishable by up to five years in state prison and/or a fine equal to three times the value of the stolen property, plus restitution.
The second-degree burglary crime is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
A competency review hearing in that case is set Oct. 11 before Special Judge Charles Gass. Sandlin’s attorney is public defender Karla Tankut.
The defendant pleaded no contest March 31 in Kingfisher County District Court to possession of a stolen vehicle and eluding a police officer. He was sentenced to 8-1/2 months in the county jail, with credit for time served.
Sandlin also has misdemeanor convictions in Oklahoma County for breaking and entering, malicious injury/destruction of property, trespassing, failure to leave institution of learning as directed, and domestic assault and battery.
