Messer pleads guilty to multiple charges, sentenced to three years

On March 3, 2016, in Judge Gary Ortego’s courtroom, Brandon Christopher Messer entered a plea of guilty to aggravated assault with a firearm, terrorizing, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, possession of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession of a schedule IV CDS, and flight from an officer.
Messer, who was being represented by attorney Alex Chapman, was arrested back in August of 2015 after he led authorities on a man hunt that lasted four days.
The Lake Cove resident was wanted by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office after a warrant was issued on Messer following a complaint that had been made accusing Messer of having shot and killed a dog and threatening to shoot and kill a local pastor and members of his congregation.
The manhunt came to an end after Messer turned himself in to the EPSO.
For Messer’s guilty pleas he received: eight years of hard labor, five of which have been suspended for the crime of aggravated assault with a firearm; eight years of hard labor, five of which have been suspended, for terrorizing; two years of hard labor for illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities; five years of hard labor, two of which have been suspended, for both of his possession charges; and six months for the charge of flight from an officer.
Messer will serve out the five sentences concurrently, which leaves him with a total of three years to be served in jail.
The 28-year old has been incarcerated since August 24, 2015, and will be given credit for the time he has already served.