LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A 27-year-old Lincoln man who has a history of run-ins with police has been sent to prison for assaulting an officer.

Matthew Heath was sentenced Tuesday to four to five years in prison. He was convicted in July of assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.

Prosecutors say Heath poked Lincoln officer Alan Grell in the chest, which touched off a fight during which Heath kicked Grell and touched his holstered handgun. Heath said he was defending himself.

Court records say Heath served jail and prison time for resisting arrest in 2008 and 2009 and for assaulting an officer in 2006.