NEWS

Woman sentenced to year in jail

Sandy Hodson
shodson@augustachronicle.com

An Augusta woman convicted of misdemeanor obstruction of an officer this week was sentenced Thursday to 12 months behind bars.

A Richmond County Superior Court jury acquitted Burshaunda Wade, 25, of a felony count of obstruction but found her guilty of the misdemeanor count for resisting arrest Jan. 18, the day Richmond County sheriff's deputies accompanied a social worker to take custody of Wade's baby. Before it was over, her husband Ahmad Rand pulled a gun on the officers. The jury watched video recorded on officers' body cameras that day.

The Department of Family and Children Services became involved with Wade on Nov. 16, 2017, when she tested positive for methamphetamines, opiates and the active ingredient in marijuana the day she delivered a child. The decision was made to allow an aunt to take custody of the baby while Wade underwent an addiction evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary. She never showed for an appointment. On Jan. 18, DFCS received a tip the baby was back in Wade's custody. A social worker was sent to retrieve the child.

Wade was hostile and loud from the beginning, the jury heard. Her husband also became irate when Deputy Jeff Adams told them that the baby was leaving that day. Rand pulled a gun and pointed it at the officers, at one point pulling Wade in front of them, and she ordered the officers and social worker to get out of their home.

Adams also pulled his weapon and eventually Rand put his gun down, and the two fought. Rand was sentenced to two years probation under the First Offender Act on Aug. 8. Judge Ashley Wright sentenced Rand and Wade.