Austin man sentenced to prison time on felony drug, fleeing a peace officer and burglary charges in Mower County District Court

An Austin man who was involved in a standoff with authorities at an Austin apartment complex on the morning of August 20th, 2021 has been sentenced to prison time on three different felony charges in Mower County District Court. 

32-year-old Ryan Christopher Collins was convicted and sentenced Thursday to 39 months in prison for a felony charge of 3rd degree drugs, possession of 10 grams or more of a narcotic drug other than heroin.  Collins was also convicted and sentenced Thursday to 15 months in prison for a felony charge of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, and he was also convicted and sentenced Thursday to 51 months in prison for a felony charge of 1st degree burglary of an occupied dwelling.  

Collins was first arrested on August 20th, 2021 after Austin Police reported that the vehicle Collins was driving was shot at by 38-year old Terry Izreal Heggs of Austin because Heggs thought Collins had stolen from him.  Authorities stated that they found Collins hiding in the trunk of a car inside of a garage at the apartment complex on the 400 block of 3rd Avenue SE, alongside three firearms, one of which was confirmed as reported stolen, ammunition, a large amount of drugs and just under $1,000 in cash.  

Collins was arrested again in October 2021 after police stated that he broke into his girlfriend’s apartment and slammed her to the floor.  Six felony charges for possession of pornographic work involving a minor were then filed against Collins in November 2021 based on images Austin Police indicated that they found in Collins’ cell phone at the time of his arrest.  The child pornography charges were dismissed in December 2021. 

Collins pleaded guilty to the three felony charges on January 3rd, and a felony charge for 1st degree burglary, assault a person in a building or on their property, and a  misdemeanor charge for domestic assault against Collins in the case were dismissed with his guilty pleas

Heggs has pleaded not guilty to charges of drive-by shooting and being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.  Heggs’ trial in Mower County District Court is scheduled to start on August 22nd.