Man accused of fatally shooting SLED K9 Officer Coba sentenced to over 12 years

RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A man accused of fatally shooting SLED K9 Officer Coba was sentenced to over 12 years, according to the DOJ.

James Robert Peterson, 38, was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed that on June 11, 2024, Peterson was found in possession of a firearm while law enforcement attempted to arrest him on a felony state warrant.

Peterson is accused of using the gun to fatally shoot South Carolina Law Enforcement Division K9 Officer Coba during the incident.

He has prior convictions that prohibit him from possessing firearms, says the SC Department of Justice.

His 150 months imprisonment is to be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision.

Investigators say Peterson was sentenced to 33 years in state prison earlier this year for first-degree burglary, attempted murder, cruelty to a police dog, and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon.

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