Ohio Man Faces Up to 20 Years in Federal Prison if Convicted for Assaulting Federal Officer
An Ohio man has been arrested and now faces federal charges for allegedly shooting at a federal officer during an arrest operation, officials say. The case stems from an Oct. 15 incident in Cleveland that left a deputy U.S. Marshal wounded. Authorities say the charge is assault on a federal officer while the marshal was performing official duties.
According to the criminal complaint, 55-year-old Larry Leon Dwight Wiley barricaded himself in his apartment after members of the Cleveland U.S. Marshals Service arrived to execute an arrest warrant tied to a prior federal offense. The standoff reportedly lasted several hours while negotiators and tactical teams worked the scene. Federal agents and local partners ultimately made entry to take Wiley into custody.
Wiley allegedly opened fire as agents entered the unit, and one deputy U.S. Marshal was struck in the arm by a .380 caliber round and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials say the marshal received prompt medical care and is expected to recover. Wiley was charged and remains detained pending further court proceedings.
“Law enforcement officers risk everything to protect us, and this case is a stark reminder of the dangers they face in the line of duty,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful that our deputy U.S. Marshal will make a full recovery and I will ensure that this heinous crime is prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Any attack on law enforcement is an attack on our society itself.”
Wiley made his initial appearance Oct. 16 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Dowdell Armstrong, and a motion filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio resulted in an order keeping him in custody while the case proceeds. Prosecutors argued continued detention was appropriate given the severity of the allegations. Court filings indicate the government will press the federal charges without delay.
“An assault on federal law enforcement is an assault against society. We will aggressively prosecute anyone who harms a federal law enforcement officer who is pursuing the mission of protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Toepfer. “I would like to thank the Cleveland Police Department, FBI, and ATF for their rapid response to this situation. I also commend the officers on scene who quickly rendered first aid to their wounded colleague.”
“The swift and decisive actions by the United States Marshal’s Service, Cleveland Division of Police, ATF, and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office to prevent additional harm to the people in the community underscores the collaboration and partnership among our local, state, and federal agencies,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “We are united in our resolve to take the most dangerous criminals and repeat offenders off the streets and keep our neighborhoods safe places to live and work. The FBI will conduct a thorough investigation into the assault of a federal officer and ensure justice is served.”
Wiley is charged with assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted; any sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to the case, including prior criminal record, role in the offense, and characteristics of the violation. Prosecutors emphasized that federal sentencing will reflect the seriousness of an attack on an officer. The charge carries significant statutory exposure and could lead to lengthy incarceration if the government proves its case.
The investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Cleveland Division of Police, with support from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Sweeney, Scott Zarzycki, and James P. Lewis are handling the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio. Officials said the multiagency response highlights routine cooperation across federal, state, and local lines.
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
