Ex-Federal Prosecutor Gets 90 Days After Stabbing Man Seven Times in Road Rage Attack

Patrick Scruggs, a former federal prosecutor who was accused of stabbing a man in a road rage incident, has been sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty. Scruggs, 41, was arrested in 2023 after attacking Blake Sharp with a pocketknife on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

The incident occurred on September 26, 2023, when Sharp allegedly suffered a medical episode while driving on the bridge. He lost consciousness and control of his vehicle and ended up hitting multiple cars. One of these vehicles was being driven by Scruggs.

Scruggs got out of his car and used a pocketknife to break Sharp’s car window. He then stabbed Sharp in the left arm at least seven times. The entire incident was captured on camera. Another driver called 911 and Scruggs remained on the scene to coordinate with police. He was taken into custody by Florida Highway Patrol officers.

Scruggs said he wanted to help Sharp by breaking his window, but ended up having an altercation with him. He also claimed that he stabbed Sharp in self-defense after Sharp tried to accelerate his car. However, the court rejected the claim in 2025.

Scruggs, who earlier worked as an assistant United States attorney, entered a plea deal with the prosecutors on April 26. As part of the agreement, he pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery. In exchange, the prosecution reduced his armed burglary charge to burglary of a conveyance.

Had the charge not been reduced, he would have faced life in prison. Judge Keith Meyer accepted the plea deal and sentenced Scruggs to 90 days in jail. He was also ordered to serve five years of probation and pay Sharp $100,000 in restitution. The judge reiterated that Scruggs could spend years in prison if he violates his probation.

Scruggs and Sharp came face to face during the hearing, and the victim even asked the court to be lenient toward Scruggs, stating that he deserved another chance in life. “I'm trying to, in my heart, be lenient to you, because I know if you go to [the] Florida DOC, you probably won't come out because of your job, because of appearance, how you look, you're not built for it,” Sharp told Scruggs.

“This is going to be such a humbling experience for you, and I hope you take humility with you through that door. I've read case files on you. I know a lot about you, Patrick. I've had years to look into you, and I think a dose of humility is something you really need,” he added.

In response, Scruggs apologized to Sharp and thanked him for his leniency. “I’m really sorry for the injuries and the extent of the injuries and what you had to go through. I wish you nothing [but] the best. It seems like you really are and have turned your life around, and I hope people can appreciate that for you, and I wish success, and I thank you for your leniency and for your generosity in this,” he said.