CASSOPOLIS — As he distanced himself from a Dowagiac fast food restaurant last August, Damone Vaughn Huff learned the hard way that you can’t always “have it your way.”

The defendant, 18, was found guilty as charged by a Cass County jury on Tuesday of attempted resisting and obstructing an officer for charges that stemmed from an Aug. 28 incident. 

As testimony indicated, Dowagiac Officer Andy Erickson was responding to an assault in progress complaint at Burger King.

As Erickson neared the fast food emporium, he spotted Huff with a BK purchase in hand.

Huff also matched the description of the assailant. 

Erickson ordered the defendant to stop so the officer could investigate. 

Instead, Huff ignored that command and moved toward his 112 Maple St. residence.

As the defendant approached the home, the officer again ordered him to halt. 

But the Erickson order apparently upset him. So Huff instead tried to escape into the residence.

At trial the jury was able to see Huff running from Erickson through the “in car” police camera.

Erickson was never able to catch Huff that night despite his efforts and the efforts of fellow Officer Daniel Wiggins.

Ben Accinelli, who tried the case for the people, thanked the jury for understanding that “law enforcement officers have a right to stop and detain persons in their investigations. Erickson was simply trying to investigate a potentially dangerous assault situation.”

Prosecutor Victor Fitz added, “Compliance would have made all the difference. Life is pretty simple when you just respect the law.”

District Judge Stacey Rentfrow presided over the trial.

Huff, who faced a year in jail or a $2,000 fine for attempting to resist and obstruct a police officer, was sentenced to four months probation and assessed 20 hours of community service.