Tillman Gets Seven Years for Assaulting Federal Marshals

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Erik Dezjhion Tillman, 29, is heading to federal prison for seven years after a brazen assault on officers with the U.S. Marshals Service. Tillman was sentenced today, with an additional two years of supervised release tacked on, following his attempt to ram a vehicle into a law enforcement SUV while being apprehended on outstanding warrants.

The case, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson for the Western District of North Carolina, reveals a pattern of disregard for the law. Tillman was already wanted on multiple warrants stemming from crimes in Mecklenburg County, and was a fugitive due to a felony probation violation in South Carolina related to a Strong Arm Robbery conviction. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding; it was a calculated attempt to evade justice.

According to court documents, the November 8, 2024, incident began when a team from the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) located Tillman asleep in a parked vehicle. Ignoring repeated commands to exit, Tillman instead put the car in gear and deliberately rammed it into an SUV occupied by CRFTF officers. The intent was clear: escape at any cost. He then fled on foot into a wooded area.

But Tillman’s run didn’t last. Five days later, on November 13, 2024, the CRFTF apprehended him again. He once more refused to comply with lawful orders, but officers successfully took him into custody. The level of resistance demonstrated a clear and present danger to the officers involved, justifying the severity of the sentence. Chief Inspector Jamaal Thompson of the CRFTF joined Ferguson in announcing the sentencing.

“This individual presented a clear threat to our officers and the public,” said Ferguson in a statement. Tillman will be held by the U.S. Marshals until transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also extended thanks to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly prosecuted the case, securing the seven-year sentence. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that assaulting federal officers carries significant consequences, and those who attempt to evade justice will be brought to account. Tillman’s history of offenses paints a picture of a repeat offender who has now faced the full weight of the federal justice system.