Nicholas Martin Coberley, Assault on Federal Employee with Deadly W…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Pollock Pines man is headed to federal prison after a brutal attack on a Lassen Volcanic National Park ranger. Nicholas Martin Coberley, 45, received a 27-month sentence from U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez, followed by three years of supervised release, for assault on a federal employee with a deadly weapon, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today.

The incident unfolded on June 20, 2016, when the ranger responded to reports of a man – later identified as Coberley – wandering in the middle of a park road, screaming into the night. What began as a welfare check quickly escalated into a terrifying ordeal. According to court documents, Coberley didn’t just resist; he launched a full-scale assault on the officer and their vehicle.

Coberley immediately jumped into the back of the ranger’s truck, arming himself with a firefighting tool. He then proceeded to violently strike the passenger compartment, causing over $2,000 in damage to the roof and windshield. The savagery didn’t stop there. Coberley smashed out the rear window with an axe before climbing inside the truck and putting the ranger in a chokehold. The situation took a horrifying turn when Coberley swung the axe at the ranger’s head while the truck was still in motion.

Remarkably, the ranger managed to de-escalate the situation through calm communication, preventing what could have been a fatal outcome. Coberley retreated to his residence near the park boundary and was apprehended later without further incident. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the National Park Service, Plumas County District Attorney’s Office, Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Highway Patrol, painted a clear picture of unprovoked violence.

“Visitor and employee safety is of paramount importance to the National Park Service,” stated Lassen Volcanic National Park Chief Ranger John Fish. “We would further like to thank the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office and the CHP in helping resolve the situation with no injuries of significance to park visitors or our employee.” While the ranger thankfully escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, the attack serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by those who protect our national parks.

Coberley’s 27-month sentence sends a message that attacks on federal employees will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments. The full details of the court documents are available through the U.S. Department of Justice, and the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to park authorities.