Prison For Man Who Hit U.S. Marshal With Car

ATLANTA, GA — A man who pinned a U.S. marshal between his car and another vehicle while trying to run from police in Atlanta is on his way to federal prison.

Shusta Traverse Gumbs, 40, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to 19 years, six months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Gumbs was convicted by a federal jury in December on two counts of forcibly assaulting, impeding, opposing, resisting, or interfering with four federal officers during the performance of their official duties.

The deputy marshal suffered a crushed thigh, knee, foot and ankle in the October 2016 incident.

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"In an attempt to flee arresting officers, Gumbs showed no regard for life when he seriously injured one of the deputy marshals with his vehicle," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak. "His lengthy prison sentence reflects our commitment to prosecute those who seek to injure our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to protect us."

On Oct. 21, 2016, U.S. marshals were seeking Gumbs for a failure-to-appear warrant out of Douglas County. Gumbs, who prosecutors describe as a violent repeat offender, had been charged with theft by receiving, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.

Members of the marshals service fugitive team saw Gumbs in a black car in the parking lot of a store in Atlanta's West End neighborhood. Several marshals descended on Gumbs' car with sirens and blue lights engaged and firearms drawn.

Gumbs was ordered to turn off his car and get out, but he instead slammed the car into reverse and backed up 10-15 feet. One of the deputy marshals ran to his vehicle to get an expandable baton and, as he did, Gumbs accelerated, pinning the deputy between his car and another vehicle.

He then sped away, striking another vehicle and running a stop light and red traffic light. He abandoned the car and was able to hide out for four days before being captured on Oct. 25, 2016.

"Law enforcement personnel face dangers every day in an effort to keep communities safe," said Keith D. Booker, chief inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. "Violence against those who swear an oath to protect the public will not be tolerated."

Gumbs, who is from the U.S. Virgin Islands, was convicted on Dec. 11.

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