Marcus Hazel, Strangulation, WY, 2023

CASPER, WY – Marcus Hazel, 32, of Washington D.C., will spend the next ten months behind bars for choking his girlfriend during a violent altercation in Casper, Wyoming last November. The sentence, handed down today, feels light to many considering the brutality of the assault, but federal prosecutors secured a guilty plea on an assault charge that carries significant weight.

Details of the incident, initially downplayed in local reports, paint a picture of a rapidly escalating argument over a cell phone that culminated in Hazel physically attacking the woman. According to court documents, Hazel choked the victim, restricting her airway and causing her to struggle for breath. The exact duration of the strangulation and the extent of any lasting physical injuries haven’t been publicly disclosed, officials citing victim privacy, but the act itself meets the threshold for aggravated assault under federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. §113, which covers assaults within Indian country and federal jurisdiction – Wyoming being a key area for federal oversight due to its significant Native American population and interstate travel corridors.

The case was pursued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, who has made tackling domestic violence a priority in a state where reporting rates are notoriously low. The remoteness of many Wyoming communities and a culture of self-reliance often mean abuse goes unseen and unreported, leaving victims isolated and vulnerable. Pirro’s office framed the prosecution of Hazel as a crucial step in holding abusers accountable and sending a message that such violence will not be tolerated. “This wasn’t just a lovers’ quarrel,” a source within the U.S. Attorney’s office told *Federal Crime Watch* on background. “This was a deliberate act of violence meant to control and harm another person.”

While Hazel pleaded guilty to a simple assault charge, the nature of the attack – strangulation – carries a particularly grim weight. Domestic violence experts consistently identify strangulation as one of the most lethal forms of abuse, often preceding homicide. Even without lasting physical marks, strangulation can cause brain damage and long-term health problems. The fact that the victim survived is, frankly, a stroke of luck. Sentencing guidelines for the assault charge Hazel admitted to typically range from probation to five years in prison, with the final sentence determined by a number of factors including the severity of the injury, the defendant’s criminal history (Hazel had a prior misdemeanor conviction for property damage in DC), and acceptance of responsibility. Ten months falls on the lower end of that range, prompting criticism from advocates.

The victim’s identity remains sealed, as do details regarding any prior incidents of abuse or existing restraining orders. This is standard practice in cases involving domestic violence, designed to protect the victim from further harassment or intimidation. However, it also hinders public understanding of the pattern of abuse and the systemic issues that contribute to it. Court records show the victim did not make a victim impact statement, a decision likely influenced by fear of retribution.

Federal authorities are increasingly involved in domestic violence cases, particularly when they cross state lines or involve tribal lands. The jurisdictional overlap between state and federal law can be complex, but the feds often step in when the violence is particularly egregious or when state resources are stretched thin. This case highlights that trend. Hazel’s defense attorney argued for a lighter sentence, citing Hazel’s remorse and willingness to seek counseling. However, the prosecution successfully argued that the severity of the crime warranted a significant period of incarceration.

This sentencing comes amidst a national spike in reported domestic violence incidents, exacerbated by the economic stresses of the past few years and the lingering effects of pandemic lockdowns. *Federal Crime Watch* will continue to track domestic violence cases across the country, exposing the patterns of abuse and holding perpetrators accountable. The case serves as a stark reminder that domestic violence is a federal crime with potentially devastating consequences, and that even a seemingly “simple” argument can turn deadly.

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SEE ALSO: Chinatown Walgreens Robber Gets 10.5 Years

Source: DOJ Press Release

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