Man Arrested for Assaulting a Federal Officer

David W. Welker, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Division of the FBI, announces the arrest of William Goetzee, age 48, of LaPlace, Louisiana, in connection with the assault of a Federal Protective Service officer.

At approximately 10:55 a.m. on August 2, 2011 Goetzee approached a federal officer who was in full uniform outside the federal building at 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans. According to the criminal complaint, Goetzee attempted to remove the officer’s service weapon from his holster. A struggle ensued and Goetzee was placed in handcuffs by Federal Protective Service officers and an ATF agent. Members of the FBI New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, investigated the incident, and Goetzee was booked on charges of assault on a federal officer.

Goetzee is scheduled to have his initial appearance in federal court today at 2 p.m.

The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.