North Charleston Man Indicted for Attempted Murder of Federal Officers

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Terrell Mallard, age 30, of North Charleston, was indicted by a federal grand jury for the attempted murder of three federal officers who attempted to arrest him last February.

On February 26, 2009, agents with the United States Marshal Service’s fugitive task force met other law enforcement officers at a residence on Tomoka Drive in North Charleston to arrest Mallard on state bank robbery charges. After entering the residence, three task force agents were allegedly fired upon by Mallard. One of the agents was struck and suffered injuries to his ankle. The other agents returned fire and shot Mallard, injuring him.

Mallard was treated at an area hospital and has since been released and taken into custody. In addition to the attempted murder charges, Mallard was also indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, using a dangerous weapon to assault and resist law enforcement officers, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

The maximum penalty Mallard could receive is life imprisonment and a fine of $2,000,000.00.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the United States Marshal Service, the FBI, SLED, and the North Charleston Police Department, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. Modica of the Charleston office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.