Washington, D.C., Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Crime

BECKLEY, W.Va. - MacArthur Walker Jr., 58, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees involving physical contact.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 4, 2024, a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Walker on Interstate 64 near Sandstone, West Virginia. The officer smelled the odor of marijuana and a passenger in Walker's vehicle said there was approximately 3.5 grams of marijuana in the vehicle. The officer directed Walker to exit his vehicle and stand by the officer's vehicle while the officer searched Walker's vehicle. On multiple occasions Walker failed to obey the officer's commands. Walker admitted that he eventually approached the officer and punched him on the right side of his body after the officer removed something from Walker's vehicle during the search.

Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on January 3, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Walker is also forfeiting a Rossi .38 Special revolver that was seized from a bag found in his vehicle.

United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the National Park Service.

United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Redmon is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-88.

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