Drug Dealer Gets Life In Jail For Trying To Shoot Police Officers

GAITHERSBURG, MD — An off-duty Uber driver from Gaithersburg was sentenced to life in prison for trying to shoot arresting Montgomery County Police officers with a homemade gun in May 2016.

Detectives had Jonathan Hemming under surveillance on May 18 because he was wanted on drug-related charges. When police saw Hemming enter a vehicle, they approached him and told Hemming he was under arrest.

Police say Hemming resisted arrest, became combative with the officers, and grabbed a homemade handgun in the vehicle's center compartment. A Taser was used on Hemming after he pointed the gun at detectives; authorities say the gun was capable of firing shotgun rounds.

Hemming was found guilty on February 7, and was sentenced to life plus 40 years in prison Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Drug Dealer Tried to Shoot Officers With Homemade Gun: Police

He was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder on one officer, first-degree assault on another officer, the use of a handgun in a crime of violence, prohibited person in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition and resisting arrest.

During his arrest, officers reportedly found a second homemade gun in Hemming's pants pocket, as well as shotgun shells and ammunition for a handgun.

ABC7 News reached out to Uber about the arrest. An Uber spokesperson said: "Upon learning of these allegations, we immediately removed the driver's access to the platform. We have been in contact with law enforcement to assist in their investigation in any way we can."

Photo via MCPD