Jury convicts federal inmate for punching and injuring deputy U.S. marshal

HOUSTON – A federal jury has returned a guilty verdict against a man with ties to the Humble area for the assault of federal officer resulting in bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before finding Cedric Tyrone Walker, 42, guilty after a two-day trial.

The jury heard that on Dec. 27, 2022, authorities learned that on two occasions Walker failed to return in a timely manner to the residential reentry center (RRC), also referred to as a halfway house, where he was serving a federal prison sentence.

Law enforcement told the RRC Walker should be transported back to a federal detention center. However, Walker was reluctant to comply with instructions from authorities and struck a deputy U.S. marshal (DUSM) in the mouth with a closed fist.

A struggle ensued on the ground, and authorities restrained Walker after two taser deployments. Law enforcement then took Walker to a federal detention center and refused medical attention.

The injured DUSM arrived at the emergency room where he received treatment for a laceration on his lip which required 12 stitches. As a result of the assault, he also sustained two chipped teeth.

“The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency, and for over 200 years they have performed some of law enforcement’s most dangerous work,” said Hamdani. “While Walker may have not known that long history, he should have known that striking a DUSM with a closed fist comes with severe consequences and would not go unnoticed. We noticed when we brought this case against Walker and so did 12 of his fellow citizens in handing down today’s guilty verdict.”

The defense attempted to convince the jury Walker did not cause the injury. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 31. At that time, Walker faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Wirsing and Anna Swanson are prosecuting the case.