Suspect in July attempted assault in College Place pleads guilty, is sentenced
By Dan Thesman on Friday, December 5th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Patricia Fulton accepted guilty pleas to amended charges from Stephen Erald Courson, 31, of College Place to third-degree attempted assault, obstructing a law enforcement officer, and third-degree driving while license suspended or revoked.
Originally, Courson faced first-degree vehicular assault for allegedly trying to run over Juan Jose Rodriguez Meza, 19, also from College Place, after an argument behind the Fiesta Tapatia Market, 355 N. College Ave., on July 6.
“It’s extremely fortunate that no one was hurt during this incident,” Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Buerstatte said.
Video footage showed Courson backing up quickly to run over Rodriguez Meza, who then shot at the vehicle. Rodriguez Meza’s actions were ruled as self-defense in his resolved case.
The court accepted the agreed sentencing recommendation, sentencing Courson to 364 days in jail for the attempted assault and obstruction charges, with 334 days suspended, and 90 days for driving without a valid license, with 60 days suspended. All sentences will run concurrently. After credit for time served, the remaining jail time was converted to 224 hours of community service, with a requirement of 10 hours per month.
Courson must also complete substance use and mental health evaluations, enroll in recommended treatment, and comply with a two-year no-contact order with Rodriguez Meza.
