A 23-year-old Ketchikan man has been accused of swinging a knife in front of a federal fisheries officer.
The U.S. attorney’s office says Dean Wesley Garcia has pleaded not guilty to a single count of assaulting a federal officer. Online court records don’t list a lawyer for Garcia, who remains jailed until trial.
Federal prosecutors say a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration special agent visited Garcia in response to a report of illegal halibut sales.
The agent noticed a large filet knife on the counter, and he moved it closer to him.
Court documents allege Garcia asked him, “Are you scared?” He’s then accused of grabbing the knife and swinging in the air of front of the agent.
There were no injuries, and authorities say the agent deescalated the situation.
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