(GREAT FALLS) Cody Michael Anderson of Hays admitted to assault charges in federal court on Monday after he attempted to stab a Fort Belknap law enforcement officer with a pair of scissors in a confrontation during which he got shot in the shoulder, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme.
Anderson, 24, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
If the case had gone to trial, the government would have presented the following information as evidence:
On May 7, 2018 south of Hays on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Anderson attacked a tribal officer with a pair of scissors. The officer thought the scissors was a knife because all he could see was something long and metal shining in the sunlight.
The assault occurred after tribal officers responded to a 911 call from Anderson, who had driven off a road and was stranded in Mission Canyon. During the call, Anderson said the cops were taking too long and threatened to shoot a cop or tow truck he saw them. The officers treated the situation as a gun call.
At the scene, Anderson told one of the officers he should have kept going, pulled a pair of scissors from his backpack and made multiple attempts to slash or stab the officer. The officer attempted to taze Anderson and then shot him in the shoulder while trying to protect himself. Anderson remained combative after getting shot but eventually threw the scissors toward another officer and surrendered.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided at the hearing. Judge Morris set sentencing for March 21. Anderson is currently detained.
Anderson faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years supervised release.
