A felon who violently attacked a West Palm Beach police officer has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces.

On June 3, Brandon McCray pleaded guilty to six charges, including robbery with a weapon, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, and resisting an officer with violence.

The crimes occurred on March 8, 2024, outside a gas station convenience store. A West Palm Beach police officer approached McCray about the theft of cigarettes and liquor bottles. As the officer attempted to take him into custody, McCray became violent, repeatedly striking the officer and wrestling away the officer’s firearm before fleeing.

The court sentenced the defendant as a Prison Release Reoffender because he committed the violent felonies within three years of his release from a state prison sentence.

This case was investigated by the West Palm Beach Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jocelyn Watkins of our 10-20-Life Robbery Unit.