A Rochester man is facing federal charges after authorities say he opened fire on U.S. Marshals and task force officers attempting to arrest him at a Buffalo residence.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that 30-year-old Keith Holmes has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer, discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. If convicted, Holmes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life.
According to federal prosecutors, Holmes was convicted in federal court in Maine in 2020 on charges of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 96 months in prison. On December 12, 2024, then-President Joe Biden granted an executive grant of clemency to Holmes, whereby his original sentence of 96 months was commuted, and he was released from prison but had to remain on supervised release, with supervision transferred to the Western District of New York.
Authorities said an arrest warrant was issued on May 13 after Holmes allegedly violated the conditions of his supervised release, making him a fugitive.
On June 8, members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to a residence on Glenwood Avenue in Buffalo to execute the warrant. Investigators said officers surrounded the residence, announced their presence, and entered the home before approaching a bedroom where Holmes was believed to be located.
According to the criminal complaint, Holmes fired multiple rounds through the bedroom door as officers prepared to enter the room. Authorities said several rounds struck a ballistic shield being carried by a deputy U.S. marshal.
Law enforcement officers returned fire, striking Holmes. He was treated at the scene and transported to Erie County Medical Center. No members of law enforcement were injured during the exchange of gunfire.
Federal investigators later recovered a privately made 9mm firearm, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” from the bedroom. Authorities also seized approximately 20 live rounds of ammunition and multiple spent shell casings.
Officials praised the actions of the officers involved.
U.S. Marshal Charles Salina said members of the task force came under attack while attempting to arrest what he described as a dangerous and violent offender and credited their training and teamwork for ensuring everyone returned home safely.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Buffalo Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The charges are accusations, and Holmes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
