Feds file different charges after jury acquits man accused of seriously injuring San Bernardino County deputy

By Admin on August 1, 2024

A year after a California jury acquitted a man of attempted murder after he allegedly took a gun from a San Bernardino sheriff's deputy and fired at her, the U.S. Attorney's Office is pursuing prosecution on different, federal charges.

In Sept. 2019, Ari Young, then 21, of Victorville attacked a sheriff's deputy after she responded to a 911 call by Young's mother, authorities said.

He fired twice, once at the first deputy, who was severely injured in a confrontation with him, and then at others, authorities said, and missed both times.

State prosecutors initially brought charges against Young that included attempted murder, assault with a firearm on a police officer, and firing a gun with gross negligence. But in May 2023, a jury acquitted Young of the first two charges and convicted him of the third, ABC News said. The jury hung on three other charges: battery against a peace officer, removal of an officer's sidearm and resisting arrest. Young was jailed and then released after serving time.

This week, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada filed a federal criminal complaint against Young with three charges related to the incident: one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using and discharging a firearm related to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a stolen firearm and stolen ammunition.

If convicted of all charges, Young could face up to 40 years in prison, federal officials say.

United States Attorney Martin Estrada speaks during a press conference at the United States Attorney's Office in downtown Riverside on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

United States Attorney Martin Estrada, second from right, speaks during a press conference at the United States Attorney's Office in downtown Riverside as Lisa Lindhorst, with the U.S. Attorney's Office; Jose Pedro, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge and San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus stands near by on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

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Estrada, during a Wednesday, July 31, press conference in downtown Riverside, said the charges were intended to "send a clear message that these sorts of attacks on public-service law enforcement officers are not acceptable. …

"The deputy in this case was doing just what we would want – responding to a call of a domestic disturbance, trying to protect the victim, and for that … she was brutally attacked," he said. "It's important that we send a clear message that these sorts of attacks on public-service law enforcement officers are not acceptable."

Estrada thanked San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus, who brought the case to his attention for an independent investigation. At the press conference, Dicus emphasized the importance of protecting officers.

"Law enforcement officers can be victims also," the sheriff said.

When she heard about Young's acquittal last year, the deputy told ABC News she was in "disbelief, I didn't believe it. I think it took a couple hours to actually hit me."

Much of the confrontation was captured on a neighbor's surveillance camera.

During the incident, Young resisted arrest and knocked the deputy over, punching her in the head and face with his fists, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

When she drew her weapon in self-defense, Young grabbed it from her and fired a round toward her, authorities said. When several other deputies responded to the scene, Young fired a round toward them, and they returned fire, wounding Young.

The initial deputy to respond suffered severe bruising and was medically retired, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Originally Published: July 31, 2024 at 3:04 p.m.