Men Who Assaulted ATF Agent Sentenced to Combined 39 Years in Federal Prison

In a significant legal development, two individuals in Dallas, Texas, found themselves sentenced to a combined 39 years in federal prison for assaulting an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) agent and another person during an undercover operation. This case highlights the serious consequences of crimes involving violence against law enforcement officers and felonious possession of firearms.

The Offenders

The two men involved in this case, Decorian Lynndale Titus, aged 19, and Damon Gentry, aged 23, faced charges through a criminal complaint in May 2023, followed by an indictment in June of the same year. Both Titus and Gentry pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including:

1. Assaulting certain officers.
2. Brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
3. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Sentencing

The sentencing phase of the trial occurred in September 2023 when U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor handed down the punishment. Decorian Lynndale Titus received a 27-year sentence, while Damon Gentry was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. These sentences underscore the gravity of their actions during the undercover operation.

The Incident

The events leading to this legal action unfolded on May 18, 2023, when an undercover ATF agent arranged a meeting with Titus and Gentry to purchase marijuana and firearms. During this encounter, the situation took a dangerous turn when the defendants brandished their firearms, threatened the ATF agent, and demanded both money and the agent's firearm.

Titus forcibly took the agent's gun and money and ordered him to the ground, making threats against the other individual present. In a harrowing moment, Titus and Gentry fled the scene, leaving the victims in a perilous situation. As they made their escape, Titus pointed his firearms at officers who were nearby. In response, the officers fired at Titus, hitting him and causing him to drop one of his pistols, which discharged a shot. Titus was arrested on the spot, while Gentry managed to escape but was apprehended later.

Law Enforcement Cooperation

The investigation into this incident was a collaborative effort involving various law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), ATF, Texas Rangers, Fort Worth Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Decorian Lynndale Titus and Damon Gentry serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal consequences for those who commit violent acts against law enforcement officers and engage in criminal firearm possession. It also highlights the dedication and cooperation among various law enforcement agencies in ensuring justice is served and our communities remain safe.

Winner Woman Pleads Guilty to Misprision of a Felony

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Allisa Hawkman, age 21, of Winner, South Dakota, appeared before United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange on September 4, 2012, and pled guilty to misprision of a felony. The maximum penalty upon conviction is three years’ custody, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on April 13, 2012, when Hawkman had knowledge of a felony assault and concealed the assault from law enforcement.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tim Maher.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for November 27, 2012. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Border Patrol Puts Aggravated Felon Behind Bars

Tucson, Ariz. – A 24-year-old man from Mexico City, apprehended by Nogales Station Border Patrol agents in November 2011, was sentenced August 24 to 40 months of confinement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted Arturo Hernandez-Garcia, previously convicted on felony charges for illegally re-entering the United States. During processing in November, agents using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) learned Hernandez-Garcia was convicted in 2007 in Salt Lake City for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

Following the Border Patrol’s initial processing, the case was submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Hernandez-Garcia will be formally removed from the U.S. following his 40-month incarceration and is now banned for life from any legalization process.

All illegal immigrants apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using IAFIS. This vital tool accesses criminal records throughout the United States, enabling agents to quickly identify violent criminals and wanted persons.

The Tucson Sector Border Patrol is committed to ensuring America’s borders remain safe and that dangerous individuals are prevented from making it further into the interior of the United States and into our communities.

As part of a targeted enforcement strategy, the Tucson Sector places individuals into impact programs designed to influence their decision not to commit a subsequent illegal entry. One impact program involves individuals with prior criminal convictions being prosecuted in federal court.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity and remain anonymous by calling the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced for Simple Assault and Misprision of Felony

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota woman charged with simple assault and misprision of a pelony was sentenced on August 15, 2012 by United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. As to the simple assault charge, Jamie Lynn Eagle Bull, age 30, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, one year of supervised release, and a $25 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund. As to the misprision of a felony charge, Eagle Bull was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund. The periods of imprisonment and supervised release are to run concurrently.

Eagle Bull was indicted for child abuse and making false statements to a federal agency by a federal grand jury on April 19, 2011. The charges relate to Eagle Bull throwing a hammer that ultimately struck an infant in the head in November 2010. Eagle Bull then concealed a false statement made by another person to law enforcement about the incident. Eagle Bull pled guilty to simple assault and misprision of a felony on May 8, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Kelderman prosecuted the case.

Eagle Bull was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

Second Former Georgia Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Other Officers to Assault and Injure Inmates

Darren Douglass-Griffin, 35, a former member of the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Macon State Prison (MSP) in Oglethorpe, Ga., pleaded guilty to a two-count bill of information charging him with conspiracy to violate the civil rights of inmates and falsification of records in a federal investigation, the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced today.

 In connection with his guilty plea, Douglass-Griffin admitted that he and other correctional officers assaulted and injured inmates in a series of incidents at the prison in 2010.   Douglass-Griffin indicated that correctional officers beat three inmates in separate incidents in order to punish them.   One inmate was beaten so severely that he had to be transported from the prison in an ambulance.

 Douglass-Griffin further acknowledged that he and other correctional officers tried to cover up MSP officers’ involvement in beating and injuring inmates.   Douglass-Griffin stated that other MSP officers told him to write false reports and to stick to their cover story when speaking with investigators.

 Douglass-Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.  

“The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute correctional officers who violate the constitutional rights of inmates, and use their official position to try to cover up their crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez.

“We expect the men and women who work in our state prisons to exemplify professionalism and integrity – and the vast majority do,” said Michael J. Moore, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.   “But when a small group of guards violate the civil rights of inmates in the facility and then actively try to cover that up, my office will have no tolerance for their conduct.”

This case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Tona Boyd of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Sage Ferguson Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls on June 25, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Sage Ferguson, a 18-year-old resident of Rocky Boy and an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Indian Tribe, appeared for sentencing. Ferguson was sentenced to a term of:

■Prison: 33 months

■Special assessment: $100

■Supervised release: three years

Ferguson was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

In an offer of proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Danna R. Jackson, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On August 28, 2011, while intoxicated, Ferguson crashed a truck within the exterior boundaries of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

As a result of the crash, a passenger was injured. The passenger was diagnosed with a thoracic fracture and is paralyzed from the waist down.

A witness would have testified that in advance of the crash, Ferguson had been driving recklessly. Specifically, a witness stated that he was “fishtailing” and had been urged not to drive because of his intoxicated state.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that Ferguson will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Ferguson does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Montana Highway Patrol, and Rocky Boy’s Law Enforcement.

Jerry Harold Middle Rider Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on June 7, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Same E. Haddon, Jerry Harold Middle Rider, a 57-year-old resident of Browning, appeared for sentencing. Middle Rider was sentenced to a term of:

■Prison: 37 months

■Special assessment: $100

■Supervised release: three years

Middle Rider was sentenced after a federal district court trial in which he was found guilty of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Weiss prosecuted the case for the United States.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that Middle Rider will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Middle Rider does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.