Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Men Who Assaulted an ATF Agent Sentenced
DALLAS — Two men who assaulted an ATF agent and another individual during an undercover operation were sentenced today to a combined 39 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.
Decorian Lynndale Titus, 19, and Damon Gentry, 23, were charged via criminal complaint in May 2023 and indicted in June 2023. Mr. Titus and Mr. Gentry both pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one count each of assaulting certain officers, brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. They were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor to 324 months and 144 months, respectively, in federal prison.
According to court documents, on May 18, 2023, an undercover ATF agent met with Mr. Titus and Mr. Gentry to purchase marijuana and guns. During the meeting, the defendants pulled their guns on the ATF agent and demanded the agent’s firearm and money. Mr. Titus stole the agent’s gun and money and ordered him to lay on the ground and not get up. He also threatened to shoot the other individual.
Mr. Titus and Mr. Gentry ultimately left the agent and the other individual and fled. As they were fleeing, Mr. Titus pointed his guns (one in each hand) at plain-clothed (but marked) officers outside whereupon agents fired on Mr. Titus. He was hit, dropped one pistol and fired a shot. Mr. Titus was arrested that day; Mr. Gentry got away but was arrested later.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations, ATF, Texas Rangers, Fort Worth Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith prosecuted the case.
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