SEQUIM — A Sequim man accused of driving into a building with a van and assaulting two deputies before he was subdued with a stun gun in January will have to complete a drug treatment program or face prison time after being sentenced in the case last week.
Daniel G. Gockerell, 54, will serve no additional jail time after he was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with 60 days credit for time served and 304 days suspended sentence, said John Troberg, chief criminal deputy Clallam County prosecuting attorney.
Gockerell pleaded guilty Feb. 19 to two counts of third-degree assault against a police officer and one count each of attempted disarming of a police officer, fourth-degree assault/domestic violence, hit and run property damage and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Gockerell was subdued with a stun gun and arrested at his Belfield Avenue home in Sequim Jan. 7 soon after he drove a minivan into a nearby building supply store and, after he drove to his home about a mile away, punched a Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy in the head during a struggle in a shed about 20 feet away from the house.
Later that same day at the Sequim Police Department, Gockerell allegedly struggled with Deputy Matt Murphy for his pistol.
Murphy’s hand was cut and required three stitches, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Troberg said the sentence was based on the fact that Gockerell was likely under the influence of heavy methamphetamine use.
“He fairly obviously had some kind of methamphetamine-induced psychosis,” Troberg said.
If Gockerell does not complete the minimum 90-day drug treatment program, Troberg said he could face between 12 and 16 months in prison.
Gockerell will also serve two years of supervised release through the state Department of Corrections, Troberg added.
Gockerell must also pay $1,400 in fines and court fees, with a restitution hearing set for June 6.
After Gockerell was arrested, deputies found one rifle in the shed where he was subdued and five more in the garage of the nearby home.
Gockerell also had reportedly punched a woman in the head at his home just as law enforcement arrived, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The unidentified woman was taken to Olympic Medical Center for treatment.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladaily
news.com.
