A man was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for an attack against LaGrange resident.

Sims Davis Brown, 32, of Marietta, one of three men charged in the case, also was ordered to pay fines of $486 after he pleaded guilty to hindering the apprehension of a criminal, possession of cocaine and DUI. Prosecutors dismissed a charge of attempted robbery by force.

It was about 2:30 p.m. May 30 when Tommy Camp, a former LaGrange Daily News sports editor, made a purchase at the BP station at 1499 Lafayette Parkway in LaGrange. As he returned to his vehicle, Tobias Jerell Palmer, 18, of Atlanta allegedly approached from behind and got Camp in a bear hug, then knocked him to the ground and punched him in the face several times, telling him, “Give me all your money!”

The assailant tried unsuccessfully to get into Camp’s pockets and then Robert Souther of LaGrange, who was pumping gas when he heard the commotion, screamed at the man, who ran to a nearby vehicle and yelled “Go!” to Brown, who admitted being the driver.

An ambulance happened to pull into the BP station while the assault was under way. The two paramedics, Andy Purdy and Brad Walker, checked on the victim’s condition, then turned on the blue lights and siren and chased the three men. They lost sight of their vehicle, but got the tag number and the suspects were arrested a few minutes later by Hogansville police on Interstate 85.

There has been no disposition of the charges against Palmer and Antonio Headspeth, 21, of LaGrange.

Camp is now sports editor of the Newnan Times-Herald,

Others sentenced Friday after pleading guilty were:

n Delmonte Mondrell Young, 23, of LaGrange; three years in prison and seven years’ probation for possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy and carrying a concealed weapon.

n Adan Maldonado Lopez, 26, of LaGrange; 10 years’ probation for child molestation. A charge of aggravated sexual battery was dismissed.

n Cobert Leon Mickens III, 26, of LaGrange; five year sin prison for fleeing and attempting to elude officers, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving and possession of marijuana.

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.