U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey Announces Intent to Seek Death Penalty Against Ryan Schlesinger

 TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona filed an amended Notice of Intent to seek the death penalty against Ryan Phillip Schlesinger.

On November 29, 2018, deputies with the United States Marshals Wanted Task Force attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on Schlesinger for allegedly stalking a Tucson police officer. As agents were trying to serve the warrant on Schlesinger at his Tucson residence, he began shooting at the officers, striking and killing a Deputy United States Marshal. After a standoff with law enforcement that lasted about an hour, Schlesinger was taken into custody.

In December 2018, Schlesinger was indicted on 13 counts, including First Degree Murder of a Federal Officer and Using a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence Resulting in Death, both of which carry a possible sentence of death. On September 30, 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office filed a superseding indictment against Schlesinger. Schlesinger is set to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on October 22 before Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Seger and Sarah Houston, District of Arizona, Tucson, are handling the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.