St. Elmo Man Admits to Shooting Rifle at Federal Agents Serving a Warrant (DOJ)

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A St. Elmo man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to several assault and firearms charges after he opened fire on federal law enforcement agents who went to serve an arrest warrant at his residence in Fayette County.

Dax Baldrige, 47, pleaded guilty to seven counts of assault of a federal officer, two counts of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

"Serving warrants is a dangerous job for law enforcement officers, but each show up with courage in order to protect our communities from known offenders," said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. "Fortunately, the officers involved in this incident returned home unharmed, and the defendant will face consequences to the fullest extent of the law."

On Oct. 17, 2022, task force members with the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to serve an arrest warrant for Baldrige at his residence in Fayette County when he used a rifle to fire multiple shots at the officers.

"This case illuminates the inherently dangerous job our Deputy U.S. Marshals, Task Force Officers, and law enforcement face every day," said David Davis, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois. "We are grateful for the support of all the agencies who were involved in this arrest and relieved that no law enforcement personnel were injured. We are pleased that this incident is ultimately concluding with a guilty plea from Baldrige."

After a 10-hour stand-off with police, Baldrige was taken into custody, and no injuries were reported.

"ATF is grateful for the dedication of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney's office in pushing through this case to bring to justice this individual." said Special Agent in Charge, Bernard Hansen, ATF, Kansas City Field Division. "As we did in this investigation ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to focus on those that use firearms to facilitate acts of violence in Illinois, and across the country."

Baldrige's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2025.

"Being in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs anyone can do and we will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office so that people like Baldrige who attack officers are brought to justice," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

The U.S. Marshal Service Great Lakes Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Illinois State Police and the Fayette County Sheriff's Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Arshi is prosecuting the case.