Marvin Joseph Chang, Assault and Vandalism, California 2021

FRESNO, Calif. — A man was charged with violent crimes in Sequoia National Park, leaving a trail of destruction and putting the lives of law enforcement officers at risk.

Marvin Joseph Chang, 33, of Monterey Park, was indicted on four counts, including assault with a dangerous weapon, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and vandalism, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

The indictment alleges that on Feb. 19, 2021, within Sequoia National Park, Chang assaulted an individual with a firearm and brandished a semi-automatic 9 mm pistol. He also slashed the tire of a car in a parking lot inside the park. The incident escalated into a high-speed chase outside of the park, resulting in the shooting of a California Highway Patrol officer.

Chang is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as a result of a prior felony conviction for assault with a deadly weapon involving infliction of great bodily injury.

This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch, the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Highway Patrol, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, and the Visalia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

Chang is currently in custody in Tulare County. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison on the assault and felon in possession of ammunition charges. He also faces a mandatory minimum consecutive prison term of seven years if convicted of brandishing a firearm. Each of the foregoing charges carries a fine of up to $250,000. However, any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The charges are only allegations; Chang is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The incident in Sequoia National Park highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in protecting our nation’s natural resources and the public.

Marvin Joseph Chang, currently in custody in Tulare County, will face the consequences of his actions in court.

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