BANGOR, Maine — An Augusta man pleaded guilty at the U.S. District Court in Bangor on Tuesday to assaulting a federal officer at the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building back in April.
Court records say Derik Broox Wight, 41, entered the Augusta building on April 20 and approached the security screening station, a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine said on Tuesday.
According to the release, the screening station was staffed with personnel contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service.
The release stated that the Augusta man reportedly pressed a security officer against a wall and put a knife to his throat. Another officer then drew his service weapon and instructed Wight to drop the knife.
Wight refused to drop the knife, and the second security officer fired a single shot that hit Wight, according to the release. He was taken to a local hospital where he was charged.
"Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer is dangerous and an extreme threat to public safety. Derik Wight is no exception, having admitted to pinning a protective security officer up against the wall with a knife at his throat, prompting another officer to take immediate action to prevent his colleague and innocent bystanders from being seriously hurt or killed,” Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, said in the release. “We are incredibly thankful for that officer’s bravery, service, and dedication. Assaults on law enforcement officers undermine the rule of law, and those behind them will face significant consequences.”
The release said Wight would be sentenced following the completion of a presentence investigation, and he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
"The Muskie Building houses multiple federal agencies, and the actions of these two security officers protected the lives of the many federal employees who work there,” U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said in the release. “They should be commended for their brave actions which ensured that Mr. Wight was stopped at the security screening station, and no one else could be harmed.”
More NEWS CENTER Maine stories
