Frankfort, Ky. – An Allen County Circuit Court jury has convicted a Bowling Green man of assaulting a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conservation officer last summer.

Following a two-day trial, jurors on Nov. 1 convicted 29-year-old Charles G. Smith of felony assault of a police officer, and misdemeanor charges of alcohol intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing police. Jurors recommended a five-year sentence on the assault charge and fines on the misdemeanor charges. Allen Circuit Judge Janet Crocker set Smith’s sentencing date for November 27.

Allen County Commonwealth’s Attorney Clint Willis presented evidence of Smith’s prior convictions for assault, driving under the influence and drug use to the jury during the sentence recommendation phase.

Smith was taken into custody by the Allen County Sheriff’s Department immediately after the verdict and lodged in the Allen County Detention Center.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred July 1, 2006. While patrolling Barren River Lake, Kentucky Conservation Officers Robert Olds and Sgt. Brett Zalla heard loud arguing and shouting from a nearby boat. After talking to the occupants, Zalla arrested Smith’s father, Gordon T. Smith, 50, of Bowling Green, on a charge of boating under the influence of alcohol.

When Zalla attempted to arrest the younger Smith for alcohol intoxication, Smith turned, jumped into the lake and surfaced about 20 feet away. Smith yelled vulgarities at the officers and began swimming toward the shore. Zalla followed and attempted to rescue the fleeing swimmer. Zalla caught Charles Smith on shore and arrested him on charges of alcohol intoxication, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and fleeing and evading arrest. Charles Smith’s felony conviction stemmed from an incident at the Allen County Detention Center in which he threw a chair and struck Zalla.

In addition to his boating under the influence charge, Gordon Smith was also charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault for allegedly attempting to shove the officers into the lake during his arrest and resisting arrest. His trial on those charges is set for Dec. 10 in Allen County District Court.

The officers also arrested two others in Smith’s boat, Nathan D. Clement, 25, of Bowling Green, and Lisa M. Gray, 24, of Alvaton. Both pleaded guilty to alcohol intoxication shortly after their arrest.