The man who injured a U.S. Marshal while trying to evade authorities will spend nearly three decades behind bars.
On Friday, 32-year-old Matthew Motsenbocker was sentenced to 29 years and four months in prison.
On July 6, 2012, authorities tried to pull over a car on Interstate 805 near Balboa Avenue in Clairemont. The female driver jumped out and ran away.
According to officials, Motsenbocker, who was wanted on burglary and firearms charges, moved to the driver’s seat. That’s when U.S. Marshal Don Allie tried to pull the keys from the ignition. But Motsenbocker took off, dragging Allie 100 yards down the road.
Allie was tossed for the vehicle. He managed to pull out his gun and shoot Motsenbocker in the torso, bringing the chase to a stop.
Allie addressed the court during the sentencing. He said he lost his sense of smell and has daily headaches as a result of his injuries.
“When we initiated the traffic stop, after turning on our lights and sirens, in one of the most cowardly acts I’ve ever seen, he used his girlfriend as bait in an attempt to lure us off,” Allie said.
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The defendant also spoke. He said he never intended to hurt anyone.
“It was a reaction,” Motsenbocker said.
“I’ve never hurt anybody in my life, except probably myself and my family through situations like this.”
