BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.

BOSTON – Following a three-day trial, a federal jury in U.S. District Court in Boston convicted a Brewster man for assaulting a Park Ranger on a federally-protected beach in Eastham, Mass.

Donald L. Savage, 57, was convicted of assaulting a federal officer.  U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2016. 

On June 6, 2015, Savage and his wife requested permission to park in a restricted lot at the Coast Guard Beach, which is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore in Eastham.  Park attendants granted Savage permission to park for 10 minutes, and instructed him not to go on the protected beach.  After 30 minutes, Savage had not left the beach and the gate attendants requested assistance from a Park Ranger.  When the Ranger arrived and spoke with Savage, he refused to provide identification despite repeated requests.  Savage became hostile and the Ranger requested that he sit on the ground.  Eventually, Savage provided a driver’s license, but after a few minutes of sitting he got up and began a physical altercation with the Ranger.  During the altercation, which was captured on the Ranger’s body camera, Savage bit the Ranger’s right ring finger causing a significant injury.  The Ranger drew his Taser and ordered Savage to the ground.  After sitting on the ground for five minutes, Savage got up and again physically confronted the Ranger at which point the Ranger tased Savage.  Within minutes, additional law enforcement officers arrived. 

The charge of assaulting a federal officer provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Leslie Reynolds, Chief Ranger of Cape Cod National Seashore; and Eastham Police Chief Edward Kulhawik, made the announcement today.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.