A federal jury in Salt Lake City has convicted Gabriel Gigena, a 41-year-old man from Valley Springs, California, for assaulting a federal officer. The incident occurred as law enforcement attempted to arrest him on an outstanding warrant.
Gigena was charged by indictment on July 10, 2024. According to court documents and trial evidence, the United States Marshal Service (USMS) was involved in his capture on May 4, 2024. Gigena was found with his young daughters in Park City, Utah when officers attempted to arrest him. During the arrest, Gigena resisted and assaulted one of the officers by strangling him with an arm around his neck. The officer testified that Gigena applied significant force.
The arrest took place after officers called for backup, displaying flashing lights and threatening to use a taser. Despite multiple commands to stop, Gigena resisted until he was subdued and handcuffed. Witnesses reported that Gigena made claims about being the "chief of the Indian people" and insisted he could not be arrested.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Yeates argued that Gigena intended to harm the officer, saying, "Despite multiple warnings, despite multiple commands, the defendant fought to the bitter end until he was finally placed in handcuffs." Gigena's sentencing is scheduled for July 1, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office is investigating the case, with Assistant United States Attorneys Sam Pead and J. Drew Yeates prosecuting.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing gun violence and violent crime. The initiative emphasizes trust and legitimacy, support for community organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and measurable results.
