February 24, 2010
MAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR INTENTIONALLY RESISTING AND ASSAULTING A DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL AND VIOLATING HIS SUPERVISED RELEASE
DENVER – Donald Vanness, a Bayfield, Colorado man, was sentenced last week by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Y. Daniel to serve 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for intentionally resisting and assaulting a deputy U.S. Marshal and for violating his supervised release. Chief Judge Daniel sentenced Vanness to serve 108 months for the resisting and assault, and a consecutive 12 months for violating his supervised release. The criminal charges came after a dangerous car chase that took place in Southwestern Colorado on July 15, 2008. Following his 10 year prison sentence, Vanness is required to spend 3 years on supervised release. The defendant, who appeared at the hearing in custody, was remanded.
Donald Vanness was first charged by criminal complaint on July 16, 2008. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on August 6, 2008. He pled guilty on November 13, 2009. He was sentenced by Chief Judge Daniel on February 17, 2010.
According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on July 15, 2008, a Deputy United States Marshal was attempting to arrest Vanness based on a warrant for the defendant’s arrest issued by the U.S. District Court in New Mexico for a supervised release violation. As the Deputy Marshal was driving South on County Road (CR) 521, in La Plata County, Colorado, he observed the defendant driving the opposite direction. The Deputy Marshal turned around and followed the defendant’s car, confirming his identity by “running” the license plate number. A high speed pursuit ensued. A Bayfield Marshal’s Office deputy also joined in the pursuit.
The Deputy Marshal attempted to pass the defendant with the hope of ending the pursuit. The defendant then intentionally struck the Deputy Marshal’s vehicle in an effort to prevent the Deputy U.S. Marshal from passing him. The defendant temporarily lost control of his vehicle, but was able to speed away and the pursuit continued. Vanness then drove to the residence of an acquaintance where he abandoned his vehicle and ran through an open field on foot. The defendant ultimately gave up and was placed into custody on the federal arrest warrant. The car was later searched pursuant to the consent of the defendant and the U.S. Marshals’ inventory policy. A storage compartment was located in the left rear interior of the car. Concealed within the storage compartment were 15.14 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale.
United States Marshal for the District of Colorado, John L. Kammerzell said, “In this incident, we are extremely thankful that neither of the deputies were seriously injured. Fugitives only have two choices when being pursued by a Deputy United States Marshal; either peacefully surrender or face a life of constant fear, knowing no matter where you hide or how far you run, in the end, you will face justice."
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service with substantial support from the Bayfield Marshal’s Office.
Vanness was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Norvell and Bob Mydans.
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