Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Late this afternoon, following four days of trial, a federal jury in Brooklyn, New York, returned a guilty verdict against Oswald Lewis, on charges of assault of federal agents and New York City Detectives by use of a deadly weapon and related firearms offenses. Lewis, also known as “Alexander Louis,” “Junior,” “Andrew Jackson,” “Andre Bernard Jackson,” “John Green,” “Leslie Howard” and “Dre,” faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment when sentenced on June 23, 2016, by United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser.

The verdict was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Charles G. Dunne, United States Marshal for the Eastern District of New York; William J. Bratton, Commissioner, New York City Police Department; and Delano A. Reid, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division.

Lewis had been wanted since 1991 on numerous drug charges filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On August 26, 2014, the U.S. Marshals Service located Lewis in an apartment in the Springfield Gardens section of Queens, New York. Later that evening, Deputy U.S. Marshals and New York City Police Department Detectives went to the apartment to arrest him. When the Deputies entered the apartment, Lewis, who was wearing body armor, yelled that he was holding a hostage and began shooting, barely missing at least one Deputy by mere inches. During the shooting spree, Lewis fired shots out his apartment window at members of the NYPD, who had surrounded the premises. During the exchange of gunfire, Lewis was shot in the arm. He eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. No law enforcement officers were injured.

“These dedicated Deputy U.S. Marshals and NYPD Detectives put their lives on the line every day to protect us from violent criminals such as the defendant Oswald Lewis. His life on the run ended today, and our community is safer for it,” stated Unites States Attorney Capers.”

“Today, US Marshals around the country paused for a moment of silence to remember Deputy US Marshal Josie Wells who was shot and killed by an armed fugitive while serving a warrant in Louisiana one year ago today. The circumstances of the two incidents are similar – a violent fugitive armed with an illegal handgun shooting at law enforcement officers who came to bring him to justice. We are very fortunate that the arrest in New York ended with only minor injuries to Mr. Lewis and no injuries to the law enforcement officers involved. The US Marshals would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for prosecuting Mr. Lewis, and we would like to thank the New York City Police Department for their continued partnership as we work together to keep New York City safe,” stated United States Marshal Dunne.

“ATF Special Agent in Charge Reid stated, “With today’s swift verdict, the defendant will now begin to realize that law enforcement and the criminal justice system remain vigilant and relentless in their pursuit of those who decide to run from their crimes. Finally, Mr. Lewis will face the punishment he has successfully avoided for so many years and hopefully will learn that fugitives - especially those that decide to shoot at law enforcement instead of surrendering - have but one place in society: a jail cell.”

The government’s case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan P. Lax.

The Defendant:
OSWALD LEWIS
Age: 44
Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CR-523 (ILG)

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