US Marshal Assaulted By Philadelphia Man During Arrest

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of assaulting a federal officer, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Ryan Bell, 26, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 15, 2013, Bell assaulted a Special Deputy United States Marshal, a member of the U.S. Marshal’s Western Pennsylvania Task force, who was engaged in official duties as the task force was executing an arrest warrant against Bell.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of twenty years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court continued Bell on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Marshal’s Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bell.