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Troy James Knapp — the purported burglar known as the "Mountain Man" — now faces federal charges for allegedly shooting at officers who captured him earlier this year in Sanpete County.
A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted Knapp, 45, on three counts: assaulting a federal officer; use of a firearm during a crime of violence; and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors also filed a motion asking that Knapp be brought to federal court on Oct. 15 for a detention hearing.
Knapp, a wilderness survivalist, allegedly burglarized numerous cabins in several Utah counties over approximately six years, managing to elude cabin owners and law enforcement officers. Authorities finally got a solid lead on his whereabouts in April from a group of people collecting antlers on central Utah's Ferron Mountain who reported seeing someone who looked like the wanted man.
Emery County deputies tracked Knapp for several days, following as he wandered near the Ferron Reservoir area of Sanpete County. On April 2, a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter spotted Knapp chopping wood outside a cabin. Police say Knapp fired a weapon at the helicopter and also pointed a weapon at officers before he was taken into custody.
The federal indictment alleges Knapp was armed with an SKS-type assault rifle and a .357 caliber handgun, which authorities previously have said was stolen during a Sevier County burglary.
Six counties have filed state charges — 26 felonies and 13 misdemeanors in all — against Knapp related to the break-ins of cabins. The state cases are on hold while the federal case goes forward.
Knapp is being held at the Sanpete County Jail. A status conference on the state charges is scheduled for Oct. 30 in 6th District Court.
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