"Spokane Man Sentenced To 24 Months For Forcibly Interfering With A Deputy United States Marshal During Performance Of His Official Duties"
Spokane - Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Tony Lawrence Gust, age 33, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced for the crime of forcibly interfering with a Deputy United States Marshal during performance of the Deputy's duties. Chief United States District Court Judge Roseanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Gust to a 24 month term of imprisonment to be followed by a 3 year term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. Gust has been in Federal custody since July 20, 2012.
On July 20, 2012, two Deputy United States Marshals went to Gust's residence and approached him to serve an arrest warrant that had been issued by a Federal judge earlier that day. When the Deputies identified themselves, Gust said, "I'm not going back to jail, not today." He ignored the Deputies' commands and fled inside his residence. Gust grabbed a loaded Winchester, 30-30 caliber rifle and sat down on a couch. Gust refused to comply with the Deputies' repeated commands to show his hands and to let go of the rifle so they could arrest him. After approximately twenty minutes, one of the deputies deployed his taser, allowing the other Deputy to safely disarm and arrest Gust. Thereafter, on September 20, 2012, Gust pleaded guilty to an Information Superseding Indictment which charged him with forcibly interfering (by means of a dangerous weapon) with a Deputy United States Marshal during performance of his duties. Page
Mr. Ormsby said, "This investigation is yet another example of the professionalism exhibited by the U.S. Marshal Service on a daily basis in performing its many important duties, one of which is arresting criminals when warrants are issued by the court. The Eastern District of Washington is a safer place because of the Marshal Service's tireless efforts and diligence to duty."
The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
12-CR-0091-RMP
