Man charged with making threats and assaulting officers

A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Lon R. Sweeney, age 53, making threats against a federal employee and assault of federal officers.

The indictment alleges that Sweeney threatened a Department of Veterans Affairs employee and later, while being placed under arrest, assaulted three VA officers.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Beeson is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General — Criminal Investigative Division and the VA Police Department.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt