COLUMBIA, S.C. – A man and his ex-girlfriend are heading to prison for shooting a Richland County deputy who found a methamphetamine lab they were running in woods north of Columbia.
Federal prosecutors say 38-year-old Mark Browning was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday, while 45-year-old Patricia Schober was ordered to spend 15 years behind bars.
Authorities say the couple first cooperated when their lab was discovered in November 2006, but Browning then pulled out a lighter and threatened to blow up the lab.
Prosecutors say in the chaos that followed, Browning grabbed a rifle and shot sheriff's Cpl. Larry Payne in the chest. The officer survived.
Browning and Schober pleaded guilty earlier this year to drug and gun charges.
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