Last March, rangers responded to a tractor-trailer that was broken down in a congested area of the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The driver became angry with concession employees and two rangers when they attempted to assist him with unlocking his brakes so he could drive the trailer to Phoenix. He caused a disturbance by cursing repeatedly at the employees and rangers and was ultimately detained for creating the disturbance. Soon after rangers handcuffed the driver, he began physically resisting them. He started fighting the rangers and kicked one of them when they attempted to search him for weapons. The rangers eventually had to wrestle him to the ground, where he continued to fight them. The involved rangers requested immediate backup and were supported by other rangers and ATFE and ISB agents. The driver was finally subdued and taken to the park’s booking facility to be processed. At the booking facility, the driver again became combative and four officers attempted to gain control of him.  During the altercation, he bit one of the officers in the webbing of his hand.  The bite broke the skin, caused bruising and an avulsion of skin, and resulted in substantial bleeding. Special agents with the Investigative Services Branch were asked to lead the investigation into the multiple assaults. On September 28th, a federal jury in Prescott, Arizona, found the driver, Anthony Keith Swint, 43, of Phoenix, guilty of two counts of assault on a federal officer. Each count pertained to an officer who was assaulted.  A conviction for assault on a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is set for December 17th.

Contact Information
Name: Investigative Services Branch