NATCHEZ — A Natchez man who reportedly tried to shoot an Adams County Sheriff’s deputy in August pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer Tuesday.

Anthony Donnell Williams, 33, 208 1/2 Williams St., was sentenced to 30 years in jail.

On Aug. 18, investigators Robert Brown and Jody Waldrop were looking for a suspect when they saw a group of people standing on a street, Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown said at the time. When one threw an object on the ground and walked away — a common practice in getting rid of drugs — the deputies got out of their car.

Williams allegedly knocked Deputy Brown to the ground and tried to shoot him with a handgun, which misfired. Williams got into his car and led the deputies on a chase.

Deputies shot several bullets at the car, eventually shooting out a tire. Williams suffered only a bullet scrape on his hand.

The two deputies were temporarily suspended and, after an investigation, were found not at fault.

At Williams’ hearing Tuesday, he said he had not been in any trouble prior to that August day.

“I only had the pistol to defend myself from other guys on the street,” Williams said. “Everything just happened so fast.”

Circuit Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson said had any of the events been different, things could have been much worse.

“Two things strike this court,” Johnson said. “The gun didn’t fire, and you lived to be up here today. This is a law enforcement officer’s nightmare.”

Johnson sentenced Williams to 30 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections with credit for the year served in jail.

Brown said he was pleased with the outcome of the case.

“Our guys have been through a lot,” Sheriff Brownn said. “We’re glad to put this behind us.”

Williams’ court-appointed attorney Bradley Hayes said he was a little surprised that his client received the maximum sentence on a plea deal.

The prosecution dropped charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, sale of controlled substance, receiving stolen property and fleeing a law enforcement officer, Hayes said.

“He got the maximum sentence, which many people would see as fair,” Hayes said. “But normally, when you are pleading, it’s unusual to get the maximum sentence.”