Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Michael Greco, the United States Marshal for the Southern District of New York (“USMS”), and John Mueller, Commissioner of the Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced charges today against MICHAEL CABON for attempting to murder a federal law enforcement officer. The defendant was presented in White Plains federal court this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, the defendant brazenly used deadly force against law enforcement seeking to effectuate a routine warrant. This incident is a solemn reminder of the dangers our law enforcement partners face each and every day. We will work tirelessly to ensure that those who put them in harm’s way face justice.”
FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “People in this country break the law every day, and as law enforcement we are charged with investigating those crimes and holding those criminal accountable. We assume the physical risks when carrying out court ordered actions, but no one should lose their lives while those actions take place. I’m relieved this situation did not turn deadly which is a credit to the professionalism of the arresting officers and agents who were on scene.”
United States Marshal Michael Greco said: “This incident involving members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, highlights the inherent dangers often facing our deputies and task force officers in the performance of their duties. Nevertheless, these courageous and dedicated law enforcement officers continue to uphold their sworn duty in the pursuit of justice without hesitation.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller said: “Every officer knows the risks and dangers inherent to law enforcement work but still goes out every day into the world to do the complex and difficult job of keeping us safe. When an officer is assaulted, it is an attack upon our community, our residents, our society, and will be met with swift justice. I am grateful and relieved that the victim will recover and extremely proud of him and the officers at scene; despite being faced with deadly force, they took the defendant into custody and delivered him into the criminal justice system where he must now answer for his acts.”
As alleged in the Complaint[1]:
On October 18, 2019, a joint operation between the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and local law enforcement sought to arrest CABON on a bench warrant issued by a Yonkers City Court Judge. In the course of that arrest, CABON wielded knives in both hands and attempted to stab arresting officers, including a Special Deputy United States Marshal (“Victim-1”). CABON successfully stabbed Victim-1 before being restrained and arrested by other officers. Victim-1 was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.
CABON, 29, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with one count of attempting to murder a federal officer and one count of using a deadly weapon to interfere with the performance of a federal officer’s official duties. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Probation, New York State Police, New York City Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department and New Rochelle Police Department. He also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.
The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the descriptions of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation
