Press Release
Woman Found Guilty of Assaulting Social Security Administration Employee
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan
Latasha Long, 41, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was found guilty last week of assaulting an employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.
Joining Schneider in the announcement was Christopher Kiah, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Police.
The two-day jury trial was conducted before U.S. District Judge Judith Levy in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The jury deliberated approximately 90 minutes before returning their verdict.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on August 14, 2018, Long entered the offices of the Social Security Administration in Ann Arbor to discuss issues about her eligibility to continue receiving disability benefits. During her interview, an employee with the SSA informed Long that she had reported income on her tax returns which was too high for her to remain eligible for disability payments. The SSA employee invited Long to provide more evidence of her work and income levels so that SSA could make a determination. Long offered some explanations for her tax returns but the SSA employee explained that the agency already had that information, and that she would need to provide additional evidence. Long became angry and began hurling insults at the employee, calling her a “psycho” and saying that the employee “was the one who should be receiving benefits.” When the employee stood up to close the interview window, Long struck the employee in the face with a large binder, and then grabbed the employee’s shirt, pulling her closer while punching and scratching the employee. The victim sustained bruising and abrasions to her face and arms. The assault was captured on security cameras.
The maximum penalty for assault is 8 years in prison. A sentencing date has been set for November 4, 2019.
The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas Franzinger and Trevor Broad.
Updated July 8, 2019
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