EVERETT — A convicted felon who tried to run down a Bothell police officer during a traffic stop was sentenced Monday to more than eight years in prison.
Joseph Medoro, who has a history of running from the cops, admitted in January that he tried to hit a Bothell police officer with a Pontiac Grand Am. Medoro, 32, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, attempting to elude police and first-degree unlawful gun possession stemming from the July 17 incident.
“A police officer almost got run over,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Laura Twitchell said.
Medoro was 15 when earned his first felony conviction. He has since racked up numerous other felonies, primarily for drug and property crimes. He’s also had three convictions for attempting to elude police.
Last July, a Bothell officer requested backup and parked his patrol car in front of Medoro’s car during a traffic stop. The officer pulled his gun and walked around the back of his patrol car. That’s when Medoro sped backward. With tires squealing, Medoro drove up and over a curb and at the police officer.
The officer ran for cover and fired one shot at the moving Pontiac. The bullet hit the driver’s door, but missed Medoro.
Medoro sped off. Pursuing police officers lost sight of the vehicle, but later found it abandoned in a residential neighborhood.
A police dog found Medoro hiding in a wooded area a few blocks from the getaway car.
Medoro was carrying nearly $4,000 in cash. Detectives recovered more than a half-pound of heroin, a loaded handgun, meth, marijuana, scales and other drug paraphernalia in Medoro’s backpack.
His attorney, David Gehrke, told Judge David Kurtz that Medoro has attention deficit disorder and mental health issues that could have contributed to some of his scrapes with the law. Medoro has been able to hold down jobs as a roofer, cook and construction worker.
Gehrke said Medoro also has strong support from family and friends. Ten people were in the courtroom on his behalf Monday.
Moments before he was sentenced, Medoro thanked his family for their continued support.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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