District Man Found Guilty by Federal Jury Of Assaulting Deputy U.S. Marshal

            WASHINGTON - Jared Thompson, 45, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a federal jury of forcibly assaulting a Deputy United States Marshal during an incident at a courthouse earlier this year, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Vincent H. Cohen, Jr. and Michael Hughes, U.S. Marshal for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

            Thompson was found guilty on July 23, 2015, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, of assaulting, resisting or impeding a federal law enforcement officer. The Honorable Senior Judge Gladys Kessler scheduled sentencing for Sept. 22, 2015.  Thompson faces up to eight years in prison as well as potential financial penalties. The Court ordered that Thompson be held without bond pending his sentencing.

            According to the government's evidence, on Jan. 8, 2015, Thompson was ordered by a Superior Court judge to be detained in a previous and unrelated criminal case; he was not in custody at this time.  Thompson then was taken into custody by a Deputy U.S. Marshal.  The deputy marshal escorted Thompson to the cellblock hall area at Superior Court and attempted to search and pat down the defendant’s clothing for possible contraband.

            During this initial search, the deputy marshal found a pipe and a small container containing a green weed substance which was consistent with marijuana.  While the search continued, Thompson asked the deputy marshal, “Did you find my weed yet?”  The deputy marshal searched inside Thompson’s pants area, and then instructed Thompson to pull up his pants. Thompson refused, cursed, and stated, “You pulled them down, you pull them up.” He then began turning toward the deputy marshal in a threatening manner.

            Thompson then balled his hand into a fist, tensed his arm, and began to turn to stand face-to-face with the deputy marshal. The deputy marshal attempted to re-apply the handcuffs on Thompson to gain control of the defendant and for the safety of the court, staff, and all others in the cellblock. Thompson cursed, kicked his feet towards the deputies, and bit the deputy marshal’s forearm.  The bite broke the deputy marshal’s skin, caused his forearm to bleed, and caused great pain.  Because of his injury and the possibility of infection, the deputy marshal was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injury.

            In announcing the guilty verdict, Acting U.S. Attorney Cohen and Marshal Hughes commended the actions of the U.S. Marshals Service. They also commended those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Jeannette Litz and Candace Battle. Finally, they expressed appreciation for the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole who investigated and prosecuted the case.