A convicted felon who allegedly struck a deputy while trying to get away during a pursuit in Moreno Valley, prompting the lawman to shoot him, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to assault on a peace officer and other felony charges.
Quinton Q. Howard of Moreno Valley was arrested Nov. 20 following the confrontation with patrol deputies on the west side of the city.
Along with the assault count, Howard is charged with evading, false imprisonment and committing a crime while on bail.
Howard was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gail O’Rane, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Dec. 11 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Howard is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Lionel Murphy, a patrol unit attempted to stop Howard for possible driving under the influence about 8:40 p.m. Nov. 20 in the area of Goldfinch Street and Lark Haven Drive, but he floored his sedan, prompting the deputies to give chase.
Murphy said the brief pursuit abruptly stopped when Howard tried to enter a gated apartment complex parking lot near the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Heacock Street, but was unable to gain access.
“As deputies exited their patrol unit, the driver reversed and struck one of the deputies,” Murphy said. “It was at this time that a deputy-involved shooting occurred.”
An unidentified passenger in the vehicle was detained but ultimately not arrested.
Both Howard and the injured deputy, whose name was not released, were taken to Riverside University Medical Center for treatment. The deputy was released a few hours later and sent home to recuperate.
Howard spent several days under medical supervision before being placed in a jail cell.
According to court records, he has a conviction for felony burglary and has several unresolved cases pending in Superior Court.