Montrose Man Sent to Prison for Threatening Public Official

After threatening to murder the arresting officer in a crash, Montrose resident Richard Clarke has been sentenced to five years in prison. 

The 52-year-old Clarke was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run crash in Altamont last November. Altamont police officer Brock Rich was called to the crash scene. A tip from the public led Rich to a vehicle reportedly belonging to Clarke.

Rich took Clarke into custody. Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Clarke reportedly repeatedly used profanity and threatened to murder Rich. Reports indicate Clarke continuously made the threats, even after he was being processed at Effingham County Jail.

Clarke could have received up to a 10-year sentence.