Jackson, Miss. - Jason Gooden, 29, of Philadelphia, MS, pled guilty on November 9, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to one count of Assaulting a Choctaw Tribal Police Officer, U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis announced today.
On April 4, 2015, the defendant, a non-Tribal member, was asked to leave the Silver Star Casino because he appeared to be intoxicated. The defendant did not comply with the security guard’s request and the Choctaw Police Department was called for assistance. When approached by the police officers, the defendant grabbed one of the officers and threw him to the ground. The defendant was arrested and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer. This case was prosecuted in federal court because Tribal police officers are considered to be federal law enforcement officers.
Gooden will be sentenced on Jan. 28, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
