Home Pittsburgh Press Releases 2009 Grand Jury Indicts Indiana Township Woman in Killing of FBI Agent
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

Grand Jury Indicts Indiana Township Woman in Killing of FBI Agent

U.S. Attorney’s Office January 08, 2009
  • Western District of Pennsylvania

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, January 8, 2009, that Christina Marie Korbe of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and charged with the November 19, 2008, murder and assault of Samuel Hicks, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Korbe also is charged with various federal firearms violations.

The four-count indictment named Korbe, age 40.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on or about November 19, 2008, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Korbe, with malice aforethought, killed Samuel Hicks, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, while he was engaged in his official duties. Also on that date, Korbe, by use of a dangerous weapon, forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, and interfered with Special Agent Hicks while he was engaged in his official duties.

The indictment further charges Korbe with using, carrying, and discharging a .38 caliber, silver Taurus Ultra-Lite revolver, serial number SH57418, during and in relation to a crime of violence, that being the murder and assault Special Agent Hicks, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence.

Finally, the indictment charges Korbe with aiding and abetting the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, that is, her husband, Robert Ralph Korbe. Robert Korbe has three prior state court felony drug-trafficking convictions.

According to Ms. Buchanan, Korbe was first charged federally on December 8, 2008, in a criminal complaint. The complaint alleges that on November 19, 2008, a team of law enforcement agents arrived at the Korbe residence to execute a federal arrest warrant for Christina Korbe’s husband, Robert Ralph Korbe, who was wanted on drug charges. Special Agent Hicks was a member of the arrest team. After repeatedly knocking and announcing their intent, officers forced open the front door. Agent Hicks was the first person through the door and immediately after entering the residence, a single gunshot was fired from inside the home. Agent Hicks stated, “I’m hit!” and fell to the ground. The other members of the entry team pulled Agent Hicks from the home. Agent Hicks was transported to St. Margaret Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:52 a.m. The cause of death was determined to be a single gunshot wound. According to the Complaint, Christina Korbe admitted owning the gun and using it to fire the shot which killed Agent Hicks.

Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Allegheny County Homicide; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office - Violent Crimes/Firearms Task Force; the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department; the Allegheny County Police Department; the Allegheny County Adult Probation; the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation; the United States Marshals Service; the Pennsylvania State Parole; the Indiana Township Police Department; the Shaler Police Department; and the Sharpsburg Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.