Stabbing a Metro Transit Police Sergeant in the Face Gets Man Six Years in Prison

WASHINGTON - Erik Schleehauf, 43, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced November 10 in Superior Court for an April 15, 2025, attack on a Metro Transit Police Sergeant, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Schleehauf was found guilty following a jury trial on July 31, 2025, in Superior Court, of assault on a police officer while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with serious bodily injury.

At the sentencing hearing on November 10, 2025, the Honorable Robert Salerno sentenced Schleehauf to serve 72 months in prison and to be placed on three years of supervised release.

At around 2:26 p.m., on April 15, 2025, at the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station, an MTPD Sergeant observed Schleehauf evade his fare by jumping over the glass gates on his way out of the Metro Transit System. The MTPD Sergeant followed the defendant as he tried to leave the station using the escalator. After Schleehauf refused to provide his identification and refused to stop, the MTPD Sergeant deployed OC spray. Schleehauf pulled out a sharpened metal bolt and stabbed the MTPD Sergeant in the face, causing puncture wounds in his cheek and lower jaw, which resulted in nerve damage.

Schleehauf was arrested at the scene and has been detained since his arrest.

Joining in the announcement was Chief Michael Anzallo of the Metro Transit Police Department, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro, Chief Anzallo and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metro Transit Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Department.

They also acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck, who prosecuted the case.

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.