Convicted felon charged with assaulting a federal officer

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Keith Holmes, 30, of Rochester, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with assault on a federal officer, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The charges carry mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life.

According to the criminal complaint, in October 2020, Holmes was convicted in the District of Maine on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and sentenced to serve 96 months in prison. Subsequently, jurisdiction of Holmes' supervision was transferred to the Western District of New York. On May 13, 2026, an arrest warrant was issued for Holmes for violating the terms of his federal supervised release, causing Holmes to become a fugitive from justice.

On June 8, 2026, four Deputy U.S. Marshals (USMS), along with nine USMS Fugitive Task Force officers, went to a residence at 861 Glenwood Avenue in Buffalo to arrest Holmes for violating the terms of his supervised release. At approximately 3:25 p.m., law enforcement surrounded the residence and announced their presence. They entered the residence and approached a bedroom where Holmes was located. As law enforcement was about to make entry, Holmes fired multiple rounds through the bedroom door in the direction of the Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force Officers, striking a ballistic shield held by one Deputy U.S. Marshal approximately three times. Law enforcement returned fire striking Holmes, who was provided medical treatment, and transported to the Erie County Medical Center for further treatment. No members of law enforcement were injured.

The FBI recovered a 9mm privately made firearm, referred to as a "ghost gun," on a dresser in the bedroom near where law enforcement initially encountered Holmes. The FBI also recovered approximately 20 live rounds of 9mm ammunition and multiple fired 9mm cartridge casings.

"This case highlights the dangers that are faced every day by law enforcement officers," stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. "Rather than run away, these officers are running towards danger in their efforts to enforce the law and keep our communities safe. Any defendant who puts the life of a law enforcement officer at risk will face the consequences and be held fully accountable."

"On Monday afternoon, our US Marshals Task Force was on Glenwood Avenue working to protect the City of Buffalo by removing a dangerous and violent criminal from our streets. During this arrest operation, they came under attack and were forced into a gunfight to defend their lives," said Charles Salina, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of New York. "I would like to recognize the courageous work of every member of our task force. Thank God for their exceptional training and teamwork, they were able to successfully respond to the threat and return home safely to their families and loved ones."

"Violence against law enforcement officers threatens the safety of our communities and will not be tolerated," said Brendan Dunford, Acting Special Agent-in- Charge of FBI Buffalo. "These officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect the American people. When someone attacks law enforcement, they are threatening the safety of our communities. FBI Buffalo and our partners will relentlessly pursue those responsible and ensure they are held accountable."

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erica Shields. Additional assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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