Ohio Man Indicted on Attempted Murder of a Federal Agent

CLEVELAND – An Ohio man now faces additional charges—including attempted murder of a federal officer—in connection with an Oct. 15 incident that resulted as federal officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant.

On Oct. 29, a federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a four-count indictment charging Larry Leon Dwight Wiley, 55, of Cleveland, with:

• Count 1 - Attempted Murder of a Federal Officer
• Count 2 - Assault on Federal Officers with a Deadly Weapon
• Count 3 – Using, Carrying, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence
• Count 4 - Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, for prior convictions that include Felonious Assault in 2010; Domestic Violence in 2009; Aggravated Robbery with Firearm Specification in 2000; Burglary in 1999; and Assault on a Police Officer in 1998.

According to the criminal complaint affidavit, on Oct. 15, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force went to an apartment unit in Cleveland to execute an arrest warrant on Wiley, who was wanted for felonious assault. Officers announced their presence as law enforcement and breached the door of the unit. Wiley, who was inside, allegedly fired a handgun in the direction of the officers, striking a deputy U.S. Marshal in the arm with a .380 caliber round. The deputy U.S. Marshal was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. Wiley then barricaded himself in the apartment, leading to a standoff that lasted several hours until he surrendered and was taken into custody.

If convicted, Wiley faces up to 20 years in prison for Counts 1 and 2; up to life in prison for Count 3; and up to 15 years in prison on Count 4. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including prior criminal record, role in the offense, and characteristics of the violation.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Cleveland Division of Police. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance. The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Sweeney, Scott Zarzycki, and James P. Lewis for the Northern District of Ohio.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.