NYC man gets 17 years for attacking upstate cop

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A 22-year-old Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for slamming an upstate New York police officer's head into the pavement during an arrest.

Paris Smith apologized to the officer during his sentencing Wednesday in Oneida County Court.

Smith pleaded guilty to assault, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal sale of a controlled substance.

The charges stemmed from a confrontation last July 14 on a Utica street, where Sgt. Charles Kelly attempted to take Smith into custody during a drug investigation.

Authorities say Smith punched Kelly and slammed his head on the ground, knocking him unconscious. Kelly needed 12 stitches to close a laceration on his head.

Police say onlookers were cheering on Smith during the attack.