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Man Attacks Park Ranger with Axe
A disturbing incident has come to light in California, where a man was sentenced for attacking a park ranger with an axe. Nicholas Martin Coberley, 45, of Pollock Pines, was handed a 27-month prison sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release for assault on a federal employee with a deadly weapon.
The attack occurred on June 20, 2016, when a Lassen Volcanic National Park ranger was called to investigate reports of a man walking in the middle of the road at 9:00 p.m., yelling loudly. When the ranger approached, Coberley jumped into the back of the ranger’s truck, grabbed a firefighting tool, and began hitting the truck’s passenger compartment with the tool, causing more than $2,000 in damage to the roof and windshield.
Coberley then smashed out the rear window with an axe, climbed into the passenger compartment, and put the ranger in a chokehold. At that point, Coberley swung an axe at the ranger’s head from behind while the truck was in motion. Fortunately, the ranger was able to speak calmly with Coberley and defuse the situation.
Coberley returned to his residence near the park’s boundary and was arrested later without incident. This case was the product of an investigation by the National Parks Service and the Plumas County District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Chief Ranger John Fish stated: “The National Park Service would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Plumas County District Attorney’s Office for their support in the successful prosecution of Mr. Coberly. Visitor and employee safety is of paramount importance to the National Park Service. 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.”
U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced the sentencing, stating that Coberley’s actions put the ranger in grave danger. The National Park Service is grateful for the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Plumas County District Attorney’s Office in bringing Coberley to justice.
Coberley will begin serving his sentence immediately. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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