Press Release
Warren Man Charged with Assaulting Federal Officer
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging George Rafidi, 60, of Warren, with assault on a federal officer and with possession of a firearm in connection with a violent felony, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment alleges that on or about October 8, 2014, Rafidi forcibly assaulted, resisted, impeded and interfered with federal law enforcement officers, who were engaged in their official duties, and brandished a firearm during the assault.
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 violations. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations and the Lordstown Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.
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.
Updated March 19, 2015
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