Copp sentenced in pot bust gone awry

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - When it was all said and done, the GVSU student and the Ottawa County Sheriff's deputy who shot him in a pot bust gone awry each received nearly identical punishments.

Grand Valley State University student Derek Copp, shot and injured by a deputy in a marijuana raid, was sentenced Monday to probation, fines and community service.

The sentence, which will be expunged if he stays out of trouble, was similar to that imposed on the Ottawa County deputy who fired the shot.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Edward Post handed down the sentence five months after the shooting that led to campus protests: 18 months probation, 40 hours of community service and $300 in fines. He also gave Copp permission to leave the state.

The judge also will allow the record to be expunged if Copp completes probation and stays out of trouble.

Ottawa County Deputy Ryan Huizenga was sentenced to six months probation, $400 in fine and 80 hours of community service after pleading guilty to reckless discharge of a weapon, a misdemeanor.

Huizenga has returned to duty after a stint on paid administrative leave.

Copp told the judge he appreciated "the leniency," which will allow him to "be able to further my education and continue to pursue my goals in life."

He told reporters he plans to return to Grand Valley. His attorney, Frederick Dilley, wouldn't comment when asked whether the shooting could lead to a civil suit.

Copp, 20, was shot in the chest and seriously injured March 11 when the West Michigan Enforcement Team raided the off-campus apartment he shared with another student.

Copp and his roommate, Conor Bardallis, were charged with delivery or manufacturing marijuana -- a felony that carries up to four years in prison.

Copp pleaded guilty, while Bardallis's case is pending.

The incident began on March 11, 2009, at Campus View Apartments located at 10255 42nd Avenue in Allendale Township.

Copp sold an undercover officer 3.3 grams of marijuana -- about one-eighth of an ounce -- for $60 shortly before drug officers raided his apartment at 10255 42nd Avenue in Allendale Township.

Bardallis allegedly sold an undercover officer 3 grams (one-tenth of an ounce) for $50 in February.

Huizenga was entering the rear sliding glass door of Copp's lower-level apartment when he fired the shot. Prosecutors say he mistakenly had his finger on the trigger, instead of the trigger lock, which led to the shooting. Copp was at the door, pulling open the curtain, when the shot was fired.