Three people have been arrested on charges relating to the killing of Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller and injuries to two other U.S. Marshalls, according to Department of Justice officials.
Sherry Lou Smith, Anthony Lambert, and Cassandra Smith, all residents of West Virginia, have been charged in a 14-count indictment that includes conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to law enforcement officers.
On Feb. 16, Hotsinpiller along with several other Marshals and state troopers went to Elkins, W.V., to serve Charles Edward Smith a warrant for failing to appear in court for cocaine and firearm charges. When they arrived, the officers knocked and after no one answered, broke into the home. At that point Charles Smith opened fire and killed Hotsinpiller and was then shot dead himself.
The indictment alleges that the three defendants “assisted a fugitive from March 22, 2010, and continuing until Feb. 16, 2011, in order to hinder and prevent his apprehension,” accordingto a DOJ statement.
