Accused Gang Member Charged With Assaulting FBI Agent

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — An accused gang member has been indicted on charges he assaulted an FBI agent when he dragged the man with his truck while trying to evade capture from a Sandy Springs hotel. Cedrick Hill, 26, was arraigned Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand for assaulting an FBI agent. He was indicted July 17 by a federal grand jury, the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia said.

Hill was a fugitive at the time his arrest in early January, having been previously indicted on federal charges for alleged drug offenses, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

“Hill allegedly attempted to flee arrest, showing no regard for life when he seriously injured an FBI agent,” U.S. Attorney BJay Pak said. “This case is an important reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every day to keep our community safe. We support the work they do and have zero tolerance those who bring them harm.”

According to federal prosecutors, FBI agents believed Hill was located at Wyndham Atlanta Galleria at 6345 Powers Ferry Road in Sandy Springs. He was the sole defendant who was at large following a federal indictment on racketeering and other charges related to an investigation into the Nine Trey Gangsters. That indictment lists him as one of several defendants who conspired to traffic in meth, marijuana, prescription drugs and heroin.

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FBI agents arrived at the hotel, and an agent encountered Hill in the foyer and "told him he was under arrest." The 26-year-old suspect began to put his arms behind his back, but started pulling away when the agent tried to handcuff him. Hill allegedly ran through the lobby, left the hotel and ran to his truck to escape. The agent tried to stop him, but became "lodged" in the driver's side door, prosecutors note.

Prosecutors say Hill sped through the parking lot with the agent hanging from the door and struck another vehicle, "crushing the agent at the point of impact and breaking his arm and femur." The agent fired his service weapon with his free hand, striking the fleeing suspect twice.

That didn't stop Hill, as he continued to drive away from the parking lot, crossed over I-285 and continued on an access road before stopping the vehicle and "releasing the injured agent onto the side of the road," the U.S. Attorney's Office goes on to state. The agent called 911 to help himself and the agency.

Federal prosecutors say Hill, a Marietta resident, drove back to the hotel where he was treated by first responders and arrested by police. Pak's office added the agent was found by first responders on the side of the road.

"The actions of this defendant were reprehensible, with absolute disregard for the life of our agent,” said Murang Pak, acting special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. “The agent was dragged for about a quarter mile at high speeds before the defendant stopped the vehicle due to the defendant’s injuries. Our agent displayed tremendous courage and calm under fire during this very difficult situation. Fortunately, our agent is recovering from his injuries and will have his day in court for this blatant attack on a federal officer.”

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