An Ohio man has been sentenced to prison after admitting he stabbed a deputy who responded to a vehicle fire he allegedly started earlier this year.
Prison Sentence Handed Down
Phillip Lovely, 42, was sentenced to between eight and 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated murder and arson.
The attack happened in February in Butler County, Ohio.
Deputy Stabbed at Fire Scene
Authorities said Deputy Mike Farthing responded to a report of a vehicle fire and arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
According to investigators, Lovely attacked Farthing with a knife, stabbing him in the back before a struggle broke out.
The deputy was eventually able to gain control of the situation and hold the suspect at gunpoint until help arrived.
Deputy Survived Attack
Farthing was taken to a hospital and survived the stabbing. He later said the knife missed a major artery and credited his protective vest with helping save his life.
He returned to work after recovering from his injuries.
Fire Linked to Breakup
Investigators said Lovely set fire to his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle in retaliation for a breakup.
Upon release from prison, he will be required to register as both a violent offender and an arson offender.
