Hunter
08/12/20
A Solon man has been taken into custody, charged with the attempted murder of a Johnson County deputy.
According to the incident report, 36-year-old Derek Westen of South Market Street was observed at the Lakeview Off Road Riders Park on 140th Street Northeast at about 6:45am Monday, parked in an unusual way. Westen gave the deputy who came in contact with him a false name, but after several requests for his real name, provided the correct information to him.
A check of Westen’s record showed his driving status as barred, and there were two active warrants for his arrest. In addition, Westen was known to have violent tendencies.
Westen is accused of starting his vehicle, and the deputy told him to put the car back in park and shut off the vehicle, while he had him at gunpoint. Instead, Westen allegedly whipped his car around and put it in reverse, trying to back over the deputy.
Westen then drove off at a high rate of speed, pursued by the deputy with lights and siren activated. He’s accused of driving through a farm fence and many rows of corn.
A warrant was issued for Westen’s arrest, and he was taken to the Johnson County Jail Tuesday afternoon. He’s been not only charged with attempted murder, but interference with official acts, probation violation, eluding, driving while barred as a habitual offender, and providing false identification information. If convicted on all counts from Monday’s incident, Westin could be sentenced to over 32 years in prison.
He is being held, pending extradition to Linn County on one of the warrants.