Police officer injured as Maryland man hits him with ATV during crime crackdown
- Gerard Stokes was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Maryland for allegedly assaulting a police officer with an ATV.
- The arrest is part of an initiative by President Trump to combat crime in Washington, D.C., which includes mobilizing the National Guard.
- Critics argue the administration's crime strategies focus on optics rather than actual safety.
In the United States, a Maryland man named Gerard Stokes was arrested by U.S. Marshals on August 18, 2025. This arrest was part of a broader initiative initiated by President Donald Trump, aimed at addressing crime in Washington, D.C. Stokes, 30, was accused of a violent incident that occurred on March 14, 2025, when he allegedly struck a Metropolitan Police Department officer with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during an operation targeting illegal ATV and dirt bike activities near a gas station in the nation's capital. During the confrontation, as officers approached the group operating ATVs, Stokes allegedly accelerated towards them, managing to hit one officer and dragging him approximately 15 feet before fleeing the scene. The injured officer was transported to WHC Medstar for treatment and is reportedly still recovering, having not returned to full duty since the incident. Stokes has a concerning criminal history which includes robbery, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of firearms. Following his arrest, authorities revealed that a search of Stokes' residence yielded multiple firearms and a substantial supply of ammunition, underscoring his potential danger. U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta emphasized the importance of this apprehension as a part of a public safety initiative to remove dangerous criminals from the streets. This arrest aligns with President Trump's recent executive actions targeting crime in Washington, D.C., which includes mobilizing the National Guard and appointing a head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as the interim police chief of the Metropolitan Police Department. Critics of the president, including former D.C. officer Michael Fanone, assert that Trump's actions are more about creating an image of an occupying force rather than effectively addressing crime, pointing out inconsistencies in how the administration has approached crime in the capital, especially in relation to events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riots.