State of Tennessee v. Johnny F. Dugger

The defendant pled guilty to four charges arising out of events in Carter County and thirteen charges arising out of events in Washington County. Other than a forgery charge in Carter County, the charges all stemmed from criminal acts occurring on March 12, 1999, when the defendant and a friend broke into two vehicles parked at a local night spot in Johnson City, stealing various pieces of sound equipment. When confronted by two security guards, the defendant knifed one guard and ran into the other with his car. A high-speed chase involving the defendant and officers of the Johnson City Police Department ensued. The chase, crisscrossing between Washington and Carter Counties, ended with the apprehension of the defendant, who was subsequently charged with, and pled guilty to: DUI; driving with a suspended license; aggravated assault of the two security guards; felony evading arrest (two counts); automobile burglary (two counts); theft under $500 (two counts); aggravated assault of two Johnson City police officers; and assault of another officer. According to a plea agreement, the defendant received an effective sentence of eight years as a Range I, standard offender. The trial court denied probation and any community-based alternative to incarceration and ordered that the defendant serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction. In this appeal, the defendant presents one issue for our review: whether the trial court appropriately sentenced him as to the manner of service of his sentence. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.