Colorado Man Gets 5-Year Prison Term for Assaulting Federal Officer at Tribal Casino
A Colorado man received a 5-year prison sentence for assaulting a federal officer at the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in April 2023.
Daniel Lehi, 44, from Towaoc, Colorado, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer. Following his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release.
Ute Casino with illuminated exterior sign
The incident occurred on April 5, when an intoxicated Lehi lunged at and struck the officer's face during a confrontation. Security guards helped subdue Lehi after he continued fighting with officers. Prosecutors noted Lehi's history of previous law enforcement officer assaults, which factored into the sentencing decision.
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek emphasized the seriousness of attacking federal officers, stating their commitment to pursuing justice in such cases. Colorado Acting U.S. Attorney Matt Kirsch commended the BIA officer's handling of the situation and supported the serious sentence.
The Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, where the incident occurred, features over 700 slot machines, a sportsbook, and various table games including blackjack, roulette, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.
The FBI and BIA jointly investigated the case, which was presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher, who has previous experience working with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
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