Worley Man Admits to Assault in UTV Theft Attempt

Brian Eugene Sczenski, 32, of Worley, Idaho, admitted in federal court yesterday to assaulting a man during a brazen attempt to steal his utility task vehicle, according to U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. The violent confrontation unfolded in April 2016 and ended with the victim knocked unconscious as Sczenski fled on a stolen machine.

Sczenski pleaded guilty to assault with the intent to commit robbery, a charge stemming from an April 18, 2016 incident on tribal land near Coeur d’Alene. The victim returned home to find Sczenski driving away on his 2016 UTV. The man immediately jumped on his older 2010 model and gave chase, cutting through back routes to intercept the intruder.

When the two converged, the victim dismounted and approached Sczenski. Without warning, Sczenski threw a closed-fist punch directly to the man’s face, knocking him unconscious. When the victim came to, his 2010 UTV was gone—driven off by the same man he’d just confronted.

The crime, prosecuted in federal court due to jurisdiction over tribal lands, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. Sczenski’s admission in court means he has accepted full responsibility for the assault and the robbery attempt.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2017, before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene. Prosecutors are expected to push for a sentence reflecting the violent nature of the crime and the defendant’s actions after the attack.

The investigation was led by the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Authorities emphasized that swift identification and collaboration between tribal and federal agencies were key in bringing Sczenski to justice.

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