ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jose Luis Avila, 57, an anger management counselor from  Annandale, Virginia, was sentenced to 12 months in prison today for his conviction for  assaulting a federal officer in violation of 18 United States Code, Section 1111. 

                Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and John Hackman, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Avila was sentenced by United States District Judge Liam O’Grady.  Avila pleaded guilty to a criminal information filed in Court on April 13, 2010. 

                According to court documents, on January 25, 2010, Avila honked his horn at two Deputy United States Marshals, who had just returned to their cars after completing a witness interview on Americana Drive in Annandale, Virginia.  Avila initially left the scene after one of the Deputy Marshals waived him around.  Avila then turned his car around  and pointed a loaded firearm at the Deputy Marshals.  The Deputy Marshals apprehended Avila and  recovered the firearm after a brief pursuit.
               
                Avila, a former priest, was also ordered to undergo mental health treatment that includes anger management as part of his sentence.

                This case was investigated by The United States Marshals Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Fahey is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

                A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov.

 

 

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