Henderson sentenced for assaulting fed officer

A Rocky Boy man will spend nearly two years in prison for assaulting a federal officer who was patrolling near a checkpoint to look for drunken drivers in 2010.

Tyrel James Henderson, age not given, was convicted of assault on a federal officer after a two-day trial in Setpember in federal District Court in Great Falls.

Judge Sam E. Haddon sentenced Henderson to 22 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.

Henderson was charged after assaulting a U. S. Bureau of Land Management agent who was patrolling on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation near a driving under the influence of intoxicants checkpoint.

At about 11:40 p. m., the agent saw people in a parked vehicle nearby who appeared to be watching the DUI checkpoint. When the agent approached the vehicle, it drove away.

The agent recorded the speed of the vehicle on his radar as exceeding 50 miles-per-hour, over the posted speed limit, and then stopped the vehicle.

After telling the driver to remain in the vehicle — he left or attempted to leave the vehicle twice — the agent saw that Henderson, who was in the front passenger seat, appeared to be carrying a sword. The agent drew his service revolver and ordered Henderson to place the sword on the dashboard.

The agent saw two other people in the car, and saw a coldpack of beer in the car on the back seat. He told the driver that the driver would be ticketed for minor in possession of alcohol.

While he was putting handcuffs on the driver, Henderson left the vehicle. When the agent moved around the car to apprehend Henderson, Henderson immediately ran at the agent and punched him in the face.

During the ensuing struggle, Henderson kneed the agent, also grabbing at his belt near his service revolver, ending up grabbing the agent's flashlight.

The agent threw Henderson to the ground, landing on top of him. Henderson continued to struggle, with the agent eventually able to restrain and handcuff him at about the time tribal law enforcement officers arrived to provide assistance.