Buffalo man arrested, accused of attacking two VA police officers

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Iverson, 26, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with resisting arrest causing bodily injury to a federal police officer. The charge carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Henning, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on February 7, 2024, Iverson assaulted two V.A. Medical Center Police Officers as they attempted to place him under arrest. Iverson was approached by the officers in the V.A. parking garage because of suspected smell of marijuana coming from his vehicle. Iverson became verbally resistant to officer commands and rolled up his window and locked himself inside the vehicle. He was ordered out of the vehicle multiple times and was told to open the vehicle door, or the window would be broken. Iverson eventually rolled down his window and an officer was able to get the vehicle door open. But as officers attempted to remove him, Iverson grabbed the steering wheel with both hands. He then turned his body and began kicking one officer in the right wrist and left knee. Iverson was eventually removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. One officer suffered right wrist and left knee sprains, while another officer suffered a chipped tooth.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the VA Medical Center Police, under the direction of Chief Richard King and the VA Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Algieri.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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