Military

Stiff Sentence for Fugitive Who Tried To Run Over a Federal Agent

December 1, 2021Carl Prine
run over a federal agent

An unnamed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent aims his firearm at a car driven by fugitive Dallas Theiss on April 9, 2021, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Screenshot via surveillance footage, courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The wanted fugitive who got shot on April 9 while trying to run over a federal agent in a Colorado convenience store’s parking lot will spend the next nine years behind bars.


As first reported by Coffee or Die Magazine, Dallas Michael Theiss, 24, pleaded guilty in August to ramming his Nissan sedan into the shin of an unidentified Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent trying to nab him for a string of probation violations.


According to a Monday, Nov. 29, judgment, Chief Judge Philip A. Brimmer in Denver sentenced Theiss to 110 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for the April 9 assault. His time behind bars will run concurrently to an anticipated state court punishment on additional charges, including a felony and three misdemeanor parole violations.


Theiss is currently incarcerated in the El Paso County Jail on those Colorado charges.


run over a federal agent
An unnamed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent tries to dodge a car driven by fugitive Dallas Michael Theiss April 9, 2021, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Screenshot via surveillance footage, courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Court records reveal Theiss had sought an 84-month prison sentence, arguing that he was high on methamphetamine and “in a drug-induced adrenaline rush” when he tried to break free from a law enforcement sting at a Colorado Springs 7-Eleven store, striking the federal agent with his bumper, narrowly missing a small child, and then weaving through traffic with local cops in pursuit.


To dodge Theiss’ Nissan, the ATF agent fired his service pistol three times into the car’s windshield and side window, striking the driver in the head and arm.


“This case demonstrates the kind of heroic acts that federal law enforcement officers undertake every day to keep us safe,” acting United States Attorney Matt Kirsch said in a prepared statement. “Taking violent offenders off the street is a dangerous business, and we are grateful no one was killed in this incident.”


In a similar statement, ATF Special Agent in Charge David Booth said, “We are fortunate the injuries our agent suffered were not fatal. Through extraordinary bravery and professionalism in the face of imminent danger, this violent criminal was taken into custody without anyone else being harmed.


“We applaud the United States Attorney’s Office in their success in this case thus removing a violent criminal from our communities.”




Theiss faced up to 20 years behind bars. But questions about how violent Theiss really is continued to dog the prosecution and triggered a lighter sentence.


Court filings submitted by his federal defender, Natalie Girard Stricklin, revealed an unloved man running from a bad childhood, estranged from his parents, mentally ill, and physically abused. Theiss was 17 when he discovered narcotics but later got clean while living with his grandparents.


He arrived in Colorado in 2019 “on his own, looking for a fresh start, and began a new life,” according to court records. But he relapsed, lost a telemarketing gig, and then “the pandemic hit.” With Colorado Springs in lockdown, Theiss “had nowhere to go, no jobs to seek, and no friends to rely on,” according to court records.


“He turned to criminality,” Theiss’ attorney wrote. “Initially, he was breaking into and sleeping in cars or staying at various peoples’ homes and stealing from them. He was using drugs and spending time with other users.


“Prior to his move to Colorado in 2019, Mr. Theiss had one juvenile adjudication. Today, Mr. Theiss has several pending probation violations and multiple pending cases out of El Paso County, all committed within a 1-year time period.”


Brimmer addressed some of those concerns with his sentence. He ordered Theiss to participate in substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment when he exits prison.


Read Next: California Man Convicted for Lasering Law Enforcement Helicopter



Carl Prine
Carl Prine

Carl Prine is a former senior editor at Coffee or Die Magazine. He has worked at Navy Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He served in the Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His awards include the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Reporting on the military, a first prize from Investigative Reporters & Editors, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
From the Team Room to Team Room Design: An Operator’s Creative Journey

BRCC partners with Team Room Design for an exclusive T-shirt release!

Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved