Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Officer and Failing to Register as Sex Offender

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Cedric E. Cundiff, age 68, of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 29^th, 2026, to assaulting a federal officer, failing to register as a sex offender, and committing a crime of violence while failing to register as a sex offender.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli, and Christopher Amoia, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Cundiff admitted that in June 2025, Cundiff was charged in Suffolk Superior Criminal Court in Massachusetts with multiple felony offenses, including armed robbery. He was released pending trial, but failed to appear in court as required in August 2025, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest. Cundiff admitted that in approximately September 2025, he moved from Massachusetts to Syracuse, because he did not want authorities to know where he was living. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force for the Northern District of New York was asked to assist in efforts to arrest Cundiff. On January 29, 2026, members of the Task Force went to an apartment in Syracuse after receiving information that Cundiff may be staying there. Cundiff further admitted that when Task Force members knocked on the apartment door, he answered the door and falsely told them that his name was William, before shutting the door and fleeing to a rear bedroom of the apartment. As Cundiff admitted, when Task Force members entered the apartment to apprehend him, he took efforts to prevent officers from opening the bedroom door. When a Task Force member attempted to open the bedroom door, Cundiff slashed the Task Force member's hand with a knife, which caused multiple lacerations and a fractured finger. Cundiff also admitted that as a result of a 2005 Massachusetts conviction for aggravated rape, he was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and further, that he knowingly failed to register when he changed his residence to New York.

"This case underscores how lenient bail restrictions put the public and law enforcement at risk, this defendant should never have been released in the first place," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. "While released pending trial, Mr. Cundiff believed he could evade justice by fleeing to another state, but thanks to the diligent work of the U.S. Marshals Service, he was quickly located and arrested, where he violently resisted, slashing an officer with a knife. This guilty plea ensures he is held behind bars where he can no longer continue to reoffend."

Christopher Amoia, Acting U.S. Marshal stated, "The guilty plea entered by Cedric Cundiff holds him accountable for not only failing to meet his legal obligation to register as a sex offender, but also for the violent actions he took while attempting to evade arrest. Individuals who disregard registration requirements and resort to violence against law enforcement officers pose a significant threat to public safety. The United States Marshals Service remains steadfast in its commitment to locating and apprehending violent fugitives, protecting communities, and supporting our law enforcement partners in bringing dangerous offenders to justice.

"Mr. Cundiff's violent attack illustrates the risks our law enforcement partners face every day while protecting our communities. The FBI's response should send a clear message that anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer carrying out their duties risks spending decades in federal prison like Mr. Cundiff," said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli, Albany FBI.

Under the plea agreement, the defendant will serve a sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a term of supervised release of 5 years, and be required to pay restitution to the victim of the offense.

Sentencing is currently scheduled for October 27^th 2026, before Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes.

FBI and U.S. Marshals Service are investigating the case, with the assistance of the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Adrian S. LaRochelle are prosecuting the case.