A Texas woman who attacked a police officer responding to a store parking lot disturbance has been sentenced to five years in jail, authorities reported this week.
A Moore County jury found Cassandra Leann Casucci, 35, guilty of assaulting a peace officer, according to the 69th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. According to Texas law, the charge carries a two-year minimum term and a maximum of 20 years in jail.
Judge Rowdy Rhoades sentenced Casucci to five years in prison following a trial that highlighted her hostile and taunting actions toward cops during a January incident.
The altercation took place on January 24 at a business parking lot in Dumas, a tiny town in the Texas Panhandle. KFDA-TV (CBS Amarillo) reports that a consumer reported Casucci’s erratic behavior and her ability to scare people, prompting the dispatch of officers.
When cops arrived, they discovered Casucci and her two minor children in the vehicle. Police claim the woman refused to provide identification and appeared angry while being questioned.
As the situation worsened, authorities reported smelling marijuana emanating from her car, forcing them to detain her. That’s when Casucci allegedly turned violent.
Casucci allegedly shoved a Dumas Police Department sergeant and kicked him in the head during the subsequent struggle.
Even after being restrained, she continued to taunt and threaten the officer, reportedly shouting: “Catch me on the streets without that badge — you’ll be eating dirt soon.”
She also allegedly warned the officer that he was “going down for this.”
Despite the outburst, authorities were able to control and detain her without causing further harm. Casucci later testified at trial that the physical confrontation was inadvertent, but the jury dismissed her claim after reviewing police files and witness accounts.
According to prosecutors, Casucci is still facing additional counts of criminal mischief and a marijuana-related felony, both filed in late February.
The 69th Judicial District Attorney’s Office described the sentencing as a fair decision, saying that law enforcement officers should not be concerned about their safety while responding to routine calls.
Casucci is currently serving her sentence at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.
