Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting and Pointing a Firearm at Federal Law Enforcement Officers
CLEVELAND – DeWayne Taylor, 33, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 13 ½ years in prison today by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker after he pleaded guilty to assaulting federal law enforcement officers, brandishing a firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“This defendant chose to put the lives of innocent people and federal law enforcement officers in danger rather than face his own arrest,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Thankfully, due to the swift and courageous response of the officers, lives were saved that day.”
“I am proud of the professionalism of our Deputies and Task Force Officers during the arrest of this violent fugitive,” said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott. “Thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their steadfast effort on this case, along with an outstanding case investigation by the ATF. Law enforcement officers all around the country are dedicated to the safety of their communities, and that is truly the case here in Cleveland.”
According to court documents, in December 2020, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) were searching for Taylor due to an arrest warrant issued by the State of Pennsylvania Parole Authority.
Court documents state that NOVFTF officers received information that Taylor was at a Walmart in the city of Cleveland and attempted to make an arrest. During the arrest attempt, court documents state that Taylor noticed the NOVFTF members, got into his vehicle, and pointed a firearm at several of the officers. In response, some of the NOVFTF members discharged their firearms, striking the defendant in the shoulder. The NOVFTF members rendered first aid until EMS arrived and transported the defendant to the hospital.
Taylor is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshal’s Service Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (USMS NOVFTF), Cleveland Division of Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly L. Galvin.