A man accused of biting off part of an LAPD sergeant's finger during an attack at a Metro B (Red) Line station has pleaded no contest to an assault charge.
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Ephraim Okorie, now 38, entered his plea Monday to assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury on a peace officer in the performance of his duties, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. He was immediately sentenced to nearly 1,300 days in county jail, a one-year live- in mental health and drug rehabilitation residential program and three years probation.
Court records indicate Okorie was given credit for time he has already served in jail. He could face up to seven years in state prison if he fails to complete the one-year program or any other probationary term, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The Los Angeles Police Department said officers were on routine patrol on the Red Line train April 27, 2023, when they spotted Okorie in possession of drug paraphernalia. Police approached Okorie and escorted him off the train at the Vermont/Santa Monica Station.
Police said Okorie "became violent and fought with the officers" after he was taken off the train and that he bit off a portion of a finger of an LAPD sergeant during the ensuing struggle.
The sergeant was taken to a hospital for treatment, authorities said.
"I'm deeply disturbed by the vicious and gruesome attack on our sergeant as he and other officers were simply conducting routine patrol of the transit line," then-LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement. "We remain committed to our work each day to improve the safety of the entire transit system with dedicated patrol engaging."
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