The Springfield man who led Greene County sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed pursuit and fired multiple shots at one deputy earlier this year pleaded guilty to felony charges and was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Oct. 5.
Jason Leigh Gideon, 42, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest and tampering with a vehicle.
According to Missouri law, Gideon’s sentences for some of those charges (15 years for first-degree assault and three years for each armed criminal action charge) must run consecutively, because Gideon is a prior and persistent felony offender.
Greene County Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Lebeck read Gideon’s eight prior felonies into court records. They include two tampering convictions, stealing, fraudulent use of a credit device, two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle and second-degree burglary.
Lebeck also discussed the evidence and testimony prosecutors would have presented if the case had gone to a trial.
What happened?
According to information presented in court, on Jan. 23, 2023 a deputy with Greene County Sheriff's Office saw a red 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 driving at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Glenstone Avenue and McClernon Street in north Springfield.
The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver — Gideon — failed to stop and continued onto northbound U.S. Highway 65 at speeds of about 90 miles an hour.
At the 66 mile marker on 65, the deputy’s vehicle was getting closer to the Silverado and Gideon could be seen in the deputy’s dash cam video footage raising his right hand in the air. Gideon fired multiple rounds at the deputy, breaking the back windshield glass.
Around the 74 mile marker, Gideon maneuvered the truck into the cable divider in the center median, disabling the pickup truck. When the truck stopped, Gideon was arrested by the deputy he was shooting at and another Greene County deputy. Inside the truck, deputies found shell casings and two 9 mm handguns.
It was also determined the owner of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 did not give Gideon permission to take the vehicle.
‘Greene County jail is not a bed and breakfast’
Prior to accepting the plea deal, Circuit Judge Todd Myers asked Gideon if he agreed Lebeck’s account to be “generally what happened” and Gideon said that he did.
Myers also asked Gideon if he understood the plea agreement means he will spend 21 years in prison with no chance for parole. Gideon said he understood.
When Myers asked if there was any reason why Gideon shouldn’t be sentenced at the hearing, public defender Jeffery Wood said Gideon was the father of young son and it would be difficult for the family to visit if Gideon is sent to a prison hours away from Springfield. Wood asked if Gideon could remain in the Greene County Jail through the holidays and be sentenced in January of 2024.
Myers asked Lebeck the state’s position on that request. Lebeck, the prosecutor, said the plea agreement provides all the grace the state is willing to give.
“Frankly, the Greene County Jail is not a bed and breakfast,” Lebeck added.
Myers denied Gideon’s request to be sentenced in January.
As the court bailiff led Gideon out of the courtroom, Gideon exchanged “I love yous” with family members who were sitting in court.
