ASHEVILLE, NC – Martin Medina, a 32-year-old member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison following his conviction on multiple charges. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced that Medina will serve 14 years for a firearms offense, assaulting federal officers, and assault with intent to commit murder, in addition to 30 months for violating his federal supervised release.
In 2012, Medina was convicted of abusive sexual contact among other charges, resulting in a term of imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release. As a convicted felon, Medina was prohibited from possessing firearms. The incident leading to his recent sentence occurred on June 14, 2022, when federal probation officers and local law enforcement arrived at his residence in Swain County to conduct a warrantless search, part of his supervision conditions.
Refusing to cooperate, Medina barricaded himself in his home, initiating a standoff with authorities that lasted over five and a half hours. During this time, he fired shots at the officers, injuring one. Following his eventual surrender, law enforcement seized an arsenal from his residence, including firearms, ammunition, ballistic gear, and illegal substances.
