Former Sagon Penn Gets 360 Days in Jail

SAN DIEGO — Meecee Parks, formerly known as Sagon Penn, was taken into custody Thursday after being sentenced to 360 days in County Jail for his conviction on a battery charge and for violating probation.

Parks gained notoriety in 1985 when, as Penn, he fatally shot a San Diego police officer and wounded another officer and a civilian participating in a “ride-along” program during what was characterized as a racially motivated police stop at two widely publicized trials. Parks was acquitted of all major charges.

Superior Court Judge Herbert J. Exarhos on Thursday sentenced Parks to 180 days each for the misdemeanor battery conviction and for violating probation for a previous conviction on malicious mischief. The judge also sentenced Parks to five years’ probation.

Parks was convicted in November of three felony counts stemming from altering court documents, specifically a temporary restraining order that was changed to make it appear that the new boyfriend of his former girlfriend would be prohibited from visiting the woman. Actually, the order was issued against Parks.