Wyoming Man Sentenced for Assaulting Federal Officers

U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Christopher A. Crofts announced today that on July 17, 2012, Russell James Ute, a 30-year-old Eastern Shoshone Tribal Member, was sentenced for assaulting three federal law enforcement officers on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The case involved two incidents in February 2012, wherein Ute assaulted federal and tribal officers who were dispatched when Ute caused a disturbance in the family home.

Mr. Ute was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson to 10 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release, with the first six months to be served at the Casper Residential Re-Entry Center. Ute will be mentally evaluated and was ordered to follow the recommendations of the evaluation. Ute was ordered to pay a $1000 special assessment and restitution for the officers’ injuries in an amount to be determined within 30 days of sentencing. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Four Fugitives Sought for Murder of Border Patrol Agent

A reward of up to $1 million is being offered for information leading to the arrest of four men wanted in connection with the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry, who was killed in a shootout near the U.S.-Mexican border in Southern Arizona on December 14, 2010.

In an indictment unsealed in Tucson today, Manuel Osorio-Arellanes, Jesus Rosario Favela-Astorga, Ivan Soto-Barraza, Heraclio Osorio-Arellanes, and Lionel Portillo-Meza—who had allegedly entered the United States illegally in order to rob drug traffickers of their contraband—were charged with various crimes, including murder, assault, robbery, and firearms offenses. Manuel Osorio-Arellanes was taken into custody on the night of the shooting, but the four other men are still on the lam.

“Brian Terry made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our border,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr. “It is our hope that the publicity surrounding this case will lead to information concerning the whereabouts of the remaining four fugitives. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those individuals responsible for the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.”

Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced for Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Federal Officer

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that an Eagle Butte woman charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer was sentenced on June 4, 2012, by United States District Judge Roberto A. Lange. Pamela Dawn Garreau, age 46, was sentenced to 22 months in custody, 3 months of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund.

The conviction arose from an incident that occurred on June 23, 2010, at Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Officers from the Cheyenne River Police Department were called to Garreau’s residence by relatives. When they arrived, they found Garreau in a back bedroom holding a knife. The officers directed her to drop the knife, but instead, she walked toward them. The officers yelled at Garreau to “drop the knife,” but she did not. Garreau began swinging the knife, and one of the officers was cut.

Garreau was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 13, 2010. She pled guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer on March 2, 2012.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Division. Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson prosecuted the case.

Garreau was immediately turned over to the custody of the United States Marshals Service to begin serving her sentence.

Police Week: FBI Honors Law Enforcement’s Sacrifices

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. This year, as thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. to honor colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the FBI joins with the rest of the country in paying tribute as well.

The week’s events began Sunday evening with a candlelight vigil held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The names of 362 fallen officers were read aloud, to be added to the nearly 20,000 other names permanently etched into the memorial’s walls. The event was underscored by a preliminary report issued today that showed 72 law enforcement officers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2011 and 50 were killed accidentally. The FBI will release final statistics this fall in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s publication, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2011.

“These men and women place the safety and security of others above their own,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in remarks delivered at Sunday’s ceremony. “When facing uncertain dangers and confronting unpredictable threats, they consistently respond with courage, selflessness, and strength. And every day—in communities nationwide—their contributions are felt and deeply appreciated.”

Today, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller issued a video message (below) recognizing officers for putting their lives on the line every day. “The FBI is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement colleagues as we continue our work together to protect our families and our communities,” he said.

Also today, Director Mueller presided over a memorial service at FBI Headquarters to honor those lost from the FBI family, including two agents who passed away last year. Among the attendees were former FBI Directors Louis Freeh, William Sessions, and William Webster. Mueller said fallen officers and agents leave behind an enduring legacy and through their sacrifice set a standard for which we are forever grateful. 

“Though their stories are different, they shared much in common,” Mueller said. “They shared a devotion to service—service to the FBI, service to their communities, and service to our country. They shared a commitment to justice and to the rule of law. And they shared remarkable bravery.”

U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Fugitive Wanted for Assaulting his Probation Officer

Mansfield, OH – This morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested William Brown at a residence on the 3200 block of Hermosa Drive, Youngstown, Ohio. Brown was wanted by the Norwalk Police Department for felonious assault on a probation officer, wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a bench warrant for violating the terms of his bond on a current felony eluding case, and wanted by the state of Louisiana for violating his parole.

Brown was originally arrested on March 12, 2012 after leading the Ohio State Highway Patrol on a high speed pursuit during a traffic stop on I-71 in Richland County. Brown was later released on bond, placed under the supervision of the Richland County Probation Department, and directed to reside at his mother’s house in Norwalk, Ohio. On March 25, 2012 Brown assaulted his Probation Officer during a home visit at the Norwalk residence and fled the scene in a vehicle.

The Lorain County Division and the Richland County Division of the NOVFTF immediately started working together to initiate a fugitive investigation into Brown’s whereabouts. That investigation led to Youngstown, where Brown grew up and his family currently lives. Over the course of a week, Task Force Officers interviewed friends and family members of Brown and information was developed that led them to a residence on the 3200 block of Hermosa Drive. This morning, members of the Youngstown Division and the Richland County Division of the NOVFTF arrested Brown, after he was found at the residence attempting to hide in the attic.

Chief Probation Officer Dave Leitenberger of the Richland County Court and Adult Probation Department was notified of the arrest and he commented, "Probation Officers routinely make contacts with adult felony offenders in order to verify and enforce the compliance of their Court conditions of release. In doing so there is always the threat that they can escalate into the one in which William Brown assaulted the Officer and fled. Our department has been an avid supporter and participant of the U.S. Marshals NOVFTF here in Richland County and it is times like this, where being on the receiving end of their efforts to enhance our community safety by locating and apprehending wanted felons, like Mr. Brown, validates our support and commitment to the NOVFTF. On behalf of the Richland County Court and Adult Probation Department, I wish to express my appreciation of the initial response of the Norwalk Police Department and especially all the hard work of the entire U.S.Marshals NOVFTF team, including the Lorain and Youngstown Divisions, in their diligent non-stop efforts to locate and safely take into custody William Brown."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pd , which is updated monthly.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Ashland Police Department, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Butler Police Department, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.