Independence Man Sentenced for Meth, Assaulting Officer

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man who bit a law enforcement officer during his arrest was sentenced in federal court today.

Robert J. Lingle, 43, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to five years in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 4, 2013 Lingle pleaded guilty to possessing five grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and to assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. Lingle admitted that he agreed to sell methamphetamine to a source who was cooperating in a law enforcement investigation. When officers approached Lingle he fled.

During the foot chase, Lingle removed a loaded Rohm .22-caliber revolver from his pants. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, at which time he did and continued to run. An officer grabbed Lingle and a struggle ensued. Lingle attempted to eat the plastic bags of methamphetamine, but the officer was able to remove the narcotics from his mouth and toss them aside. Lingle then grabbed the officer’s arm and intentionally bit him on his hand, breaking skin and drawing blood.

This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Leena Ramana. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.