Washington Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting Federal Officers

Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Filiberto Santana, age 34, to 84 months in prison for assaulting two federal officers. Chief Judge Bastian also imposed 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on April 11, 2025, the Columbia River Drug Task Force had requested the United States Marshals Service to assist in the apprehension of Filiberto Santana, who had active state arrest warrants. A United States Marshals Service (USMS) Task Force Officer spotted Santana and a female sitting in a stolen vehicle at a “Park and Ride” in Wenatchee, WA. Santana was seated in the passenger seat and the female was seated in the driver’s seat. The female was also known to law enforcement and had an active state arrest warrant. Although in a parking space, the vehicle’s engine was running. Law enforcement decided to pin the stolen vehicle between two patrol cars to prevent Santana, who had a history of fleeing law enforcement, from avoiding capture.

Law enforcement approached the vehicle and ordered Santana and the female to put their hands up where they could be seen. Instead of complying with the lawful order, the female placed the car in reverse, then shifted to drive, spinning the tires in the snow in a failed attempt to escape. Santana immediately rolled up the front passenger window, which had been down, and began moving as if searching for something in the car. Because law enforcement could not view Santana’s hands and believed he was potentially searching for a weapon, law enforcement broke out the rear passenger window to better see inside the vehicle and access the occupants. Law enforcement continued to order the female to put the car in neutral and for the occupants to put up their hands. Instead, the female pressed the accelerator pedal spinning the tires. Santana momentarily raised his hands, however, he quickly lowered them and resumed searching for something around the floorboards and seat area. After repeated orders to place the car in neutral and to put up their hands were disregarded, officers attempted to tase both the female and Santana. However, Santana and the female had on thick layers of clothing and the taser prongs did not work effectively and both Santana and the female continued to disregard law enforcement’s directions.

Santana then grabbed an object from the seat area where he had been reaching, and with a pistol grip pointed the object at the officers. Initially the officers believed from the manner he grasped the object that it was a firearm, however, an officer closer to the car saw that it was a spray bottle and yelled out to the other officers, “He’s got spray!” Santana sprayed an unknown liquid directly at law enforcement striking a deputy United States Marshal in the eyes. He then climbed to the back seat and fled out the rear driver’s side window in an attempt to escape. He was stopped and taken into custody by law enforcement. After apprehending Santana, officers had to pull the noncompliant female out of the window and were able to handcuff her after a brief struggle outside the vehicle.

The Deputy United States Marshal was treated by medics at the scene. His eyes were bloodshot and burned and remained irritated for several days. A second federal Task Force Officer who was also struck by the spray and had breathed it in suffered from burning in his lungs for several hours after the incident. He did not seek medical treatment.

The spray used by Santana was later found in the vehicle and identified as an interior detailing spray. Law enforcement also located several stolen items in the car, including a Ruger handgun in the driver’s door compartment, as well as multiple magazines for the Ruger.  Also found were several magazines from other caliber firearms, a holster, and 9mm ammunition.

“Everyday law enforcement officers take on tremendous dangers; yet, they put their lives on the line to protect our communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker. “I am grateful to be able to work closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement, who work tirelessly to secure Eastern Washington Communities.”

“Every day, law enforcement officers bravely put themselves in uncertain situations to perform their duties and keep the public safe," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "These subjects were actively resisting arrest and repeatedly refusing to comply. I want to commend these officers for their courage and professionalism in such a dangerous situation, which allowed them to successfully resolve the situation and take the subjects into custody. We are thankful the injuries to the officers were not even worse due to the dangerous actions of the subjects.”

“In bringing fugitives to justice, law enforcement faces the very real threat of assault from violent offenders,” stated U. S. Marshal Craig Thayer. Every effort is made to effectuate these arrests as safely as possible, and with only reasonable and necessary force. However, these offenders will be arrested, and will face justice, as Chief Judge Bastian’s sentencing today demonstrates.”

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Columbia River Drug Task Force.

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