In a shocking display of disregard for authority, Damari Roulhac, a 26-year-old East Stroudsburg man, was convicted of assaulting and fleeing a federal park ranger in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The incident occurred on July 1, 2016, when United States Park Rangers ordered Roulhac to stop his vehicle. Instead, he refused to obey their instructions and accelerated towards one of the Rangers, causing him to jump out of the way.
Undeterred, Roulhac struck one of the Rangers with his vehicle while fleeing the scene. Rangers from the National Park Service tracked him down days later at the Pike County Courthouse, where he was sentenced for an unrelated DUI conviction.
Roulhac was found guilty of one count of assaulting a law enforcement official and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement official. The combined maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years of imprisonment, with a term of supervised release following imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines.
Assistant United States Attorneys Phillip Caraballo and Evan Gotlob prosecuted the case, which was investigated by Rangers from the National Park Service. United States District Court Judge James M. Munley presided over the two-day trial, which resulted in Roulhac’s conviction after approximately three hours of deliberation.
Roulhac’s sentencing is pending, and the judge will consider the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in determining the sentence.
The case highlights the importance of respecting the authority of law enforcement officials and the consequences of such actions.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
