A Lynden, Washington man has been sentenced to eight months in prison and slapped with a $10,000 fine for assaulting federal officers. According to court records, Wayne Groen, 46, intentionally drove his truck towards three U.S. Border Patrol agents last July.
And this isn't his first run in with federal agents.Wayne Groen allegedly saw the Border Patrol agents working near his property, jumped in his truck and headed towards them, swerving at two agents on one side of the road, then driving in the lane for on-coming traffic to swerve towards the other agent.
Fortunately all three agents were able to jump out of the way.
In handing down the eight month sentence and $10,000 fine, U.S. District Court Judge James L. Robart called Groen’s conduct “deeply disturbing.”
He also said it was, “extremely dangerous, extremely stupid and extremely filled with potential for dangerous harm to others.”
The U.S. Department of Justice says Groen has engaged in various aggressive interactions with law enforcement.
In 2010, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail after shining a spotlight at a border patrol helicopter flying near his home. According to court records, it temporarily blinded the pilot who was forced to take precautions to avoid a crash.
However, Groen now says he’s learned his lesson.
In his most recent court appearance, he apologized to the Border Patrol saying he now understands the damaging impact of his conduct and is hoping for a positive relationship with the Border Patrol.
After prison, Groen will be required to do 50 hours of community service. Judge Robart suggested Groen do the service by speaking to groups in the Lynden community about what he’s learned from his criminal conviction.
