KC Reporter

A Houston, Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court today to assaulting and threatening federal law enforcement officers at Fort Leonard Wood.

James W. Dickens, 32, entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of assaulting a federal officer and one count of threatening to murder a federal law enforcement officer.

According to the plea agreement, Dickens drove a stolen vehicle to the north gate of Fort Leonard Wood shortly after 1 a.m. on June 11, 2023. He acted erratically and displayed an axe in the passenger seat. After fleeing from the gate, he led officers on a high-speed pursuit before crashing into the north gate drop arm barrier.

Upon exiting his vehicle, Dickens threatened an officer who drew a taser by saying, “If you tase me, I will kill you,” or words to that effect. He then charged at the officer with clenched fists and was subsequently tased.

Despite falling to the ground, Dickens resisted arrest and continued making threats against the officers. While being placed in a Military Police vehicle, he kicked one officer and headbutted another during an assessment by fire department personnel.

Later interactions escalated when Dickens spat on an officer and claimed he had HIV. As paramedics arrived and attempted to assist him, Dickens again made threats and headbutted another officer before spitting on a paramedic's face while being transported in an ambulance.

Under federal statutes, Dickens faces up to 18 years in federal prison without parole. The actual sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines and other statutory factors following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vargas are prosecuting this case, which was investigated by the U.S. Army’s Military Police Investigations at Fort Leonard Wood.