Multi-Convicted Felon Is Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For Assault Of Federal Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Erik Dezjhion Tillman, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for assaulting federal officers attempting to arrest him on outstanding warrants, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Jamaal Thompson, Chief Inspector of the United States Marshals Service, Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF), joins U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today's announcement.

According to filed documents and the sentencing hearing, Tillman was wanted on multiple warrants for crimes committed in Mecklenburg County and a felony probation violation in South Carolina for a Strong Arm Robbery conviction. Court records show that, on November 8, 2024, members of a CRFTF apprehension team located Tillman asleep on the passenger side of a parked vehicle. Law enforcement ordered Tillman to exit the vehicle, but Tillman ignored the commands. Instead, Tillman started the vehicle and rammed it into the SUV of the CRFTF apprehension team in an attempt to escape. Ignoring commands of law enforcement and with his car now unable to move further, Tillman got out of the car and escaped through a wooded area. On November 13, 2024, a CRFTF apprehension team located Tillman. He again ran from law enforcement officers and refused to comply with their commands, but was taken into custody by the CRFTF.

Tillman will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

In making today's announcement, U.S. attorney Ferguson thanked the CRFTF and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.