A Kansas City, Kansas, man was sentenced 15 years in prison following an attack on a federal law enforcement agent during an undercover operation.
In May 2021, Nicholas Newman, 20, of Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon and guilty to one count of using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. In September 2021, Newman was sentenced 10 years for the assault conviction and five years for the firearms conviction to run consecutively.
According to court documents, in February 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an undercover operation in Kansas City, Kansas.
Two undercover ATF agents drove their vehicle to the parking lot of the Sunfresh store at South 18th to meet with Newman after he contacted them a few days earlier suggesting he had a firearm for sale. Newman handed the undercover agent in the driver’s seat a firearm, which she put on the floorboard. She then gave him cash provided by the ATF for the undercover operation.
After Newman reached to grab the firearm, a violent struggle ensued between the agent and Newman for control of the weapon. Newman physically assaulted her, inflicting severe bodily harm, according to court documents.
The second agent, who had been in the rear passenger seat, came around and attempted to subdue Newman from behind. A short time later, ATF surveillance units arrived and instructed Newman to let go of the weapon, which he did. He was subsequently taken into custody.
“Every day our ATF agents work to make our communities safer by trying to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals,” said acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. “In doing so, they often put themselves in harm’s way. Thanks to the bravery and quick action of these agents no lives were lost in an incident which could have resulted in tragedy.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania prosecuted the case.