Erik Dezjhion Tillman, Assaulting Federal Officers with a Motor Vehicle, North Carolina 2023

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Erik Dezjhion Tillman, 29, is headed to federal prison for seven years after a brazen attempt to evade arrest turned violent. Tillman was sentenced today for assaulting federal officers with a motor vehicle while they were attempting to serve outstanding warrants, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced.

The incident, which unfolded over several days in November, began on November 8th when members of the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) – a unit of the U.S. Marshals Service – located Tillman sleeping in a parked car. Tillman, already wanted on multiple Mecklenburg County warrants and a felony probation violation stemming from a Strong Arm Robbery conviction in South Carolina, wasn’t interested in a peaceful surrender.

According to court documents, officers ordered Tillman to exit the vehicle. He refused. Instead, Tillman ignited the engine and deliberately rammed the car into an SUV belonging to the CRFTF team, attempting a desperate escape. The vehicle became disabled, but Tillman didn’t stop there. He fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, ignoring repeated commands from law enforcement.

The chase continued for five days. On November 13th, the CRFTF finally apprehended Tillman. He again attempted to flee and refused to comply with officers’ commands, but was ultimately taken into custody without further injury to law enforcement. The CRFTF will hold Tillman until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

“This individual demonstrated a clear disregard for the safety of our federal officers,” stated U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “His actions put lives at risk, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes.” Chief Inspector Jamaal Thompson of the U.S. Marshals Service echoed the sentiment, praising the team’s dedication to bringing dangerous fugitives to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte successfully prosecuted the case. Ferguson also extended thanks to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their assistance throughout the investigation. Tillman’s seven-year sentence is followed by two years of supervised release, a small consolation for officers who faced a violent assault while simply doing their jobs.