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Atlanta man sentenced for shooting US Marshal's Fugitive Task Force Officer

"Titus Bates has no regard for the law or life," said U.S. Attorney Byung Pak.

ATLANTA -- Federal authorities have sentenced 43-year-old Titus Bates to 30 years in prison after he shot a member of the US Marshal's Service's Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force who was attempting to execute search and arrest warrants at his home in November 2013.

"Titus Bates is a very violent individual who displays a total lack of concern for the lives of others. This sentence represents the seriousness of his crime," said Special Agent in Charge Arthur Peralta. "This sentence also ensures that Bates will not be able to hurt or terrorize anyone else for a very long time."

“Titus Bates has no regard for the law or life. He is a seven-time convicted felon who nearly killed officers attempting to arrest him and search his residence,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We are thankful that the Marshals Service Task Force Officer survived the shooting and we are reminded of the dangers our law enforcement partners encounter every day.”

According to Pak, On November 21, 2013, members of the US Marshal's Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to execute search and arrest warrants issued by Fulton County at Bates' Atlanta home. As Marshals tried to enter the home, Bates shot through the closed door. One shot hit a neighbor's house, the other struck a US Marshal's officer in the leg. The law enforcement team did not return fire. Instead, they focused on removing the task force officer and rushing him to the hospital.

Inside the house, Bates tossed a .45 caliber pistol with an extended clip down a vent in the living room. ATF agents entered the home and found over seven pounds of marijuana, scales, cash and other drug-related items.

Bates was sentenced to 30 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release in May 2018. Prior to that, a jury had convicted Bates of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence in December 2017.

Before his trial, Bates had pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in November 2017.

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