FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
February
19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PASSENGER IN CAR STOPPED ON B-W PARKWAY SENTENCED TO OVER 3 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ASSAULTING TWO FEDERAL OFFICERS
Greenbelt, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. sentenced Edward Donte Wilder, age 21, today to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting federal officers.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Chief Salvatore R. Lauro of the United States Park Police.
According to Wilder’s guilty plea, on April 17, 2009, a U.S. Park Police officer pulled over a car on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway for a traffic violation. The officer suspected that the driver was drunk and since there were several people in the car, another officer arrived to assist. Wilder was the front seat passenger and kept trying to get out of the car, even after being told by the officers to remain in the vehicle. Despite being told to stay in the car, Wilder pushed open the door, striking one of the officers. Wilder then struggled with the officer, who attempted to restrain him. The second officer came to assist and Wilder threw back his elbow, striking the second officer in the nose. All three fell to the ground. A third officer arrived and Wilder was finally handcuffed. Both officers received medical attention. During the struggle the first officer injured his arm, requiring him to wear a cast for several weeks.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Hollis R. Weisman, who prosecuted the case.