Press Release

Judge Sentences Man to 15 Years for Attempted Murder on Police Officer

August 7, 2015

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) – Today, 25 year old Frank Sambrano of Anchorage was sentenced to spend 15 years in prison for a 2014 attack on a police officer. Sambrano’s sentence came as a result of his conviction in January 2015 for attempted murder in the first degree. The jury also convicted Sambrano of attempted assault in the first degree, harassment in the second degree, and resisting or interfering with arrest.

On June 20, 2014, Anchorage Police Officers responded to a residence based on a report that Sambrano punched his uncle in the face. An officer told Sambrano to go for a walk to cool off but he refused. The officer advised Sambrano that he was under arrest for disorderly conduct. Sambrano was asked to put his hands behind his back but Sambrano responded by pulling out a knife with a six-inch long blade. Sambrano swung it at the officer’s head and neck. The officer stepped in and caught Sambrano’s arm, causing the knife to fall to the ground.

In addition to 15 years in prison, Judge Phillip Volland sentenced Sambrano to be supervised on probation for 10 years and added eight years of suspended time. Judge Volland noted that Sambrano had two felony convictions from California as well as 19 prior misdemeanor convictions, including seven prior assault convictions. Judge Volland also noted that three of his assault convictions were on family members and three were on police officers or juvenile probation officers. 

Judge Volland noted that Sambrano’s long sentence in prison was necessary to prevent future harm to the community. He said that Sambrano has demonstrated “unprovoked and unexplained violence.” Judge Volland also noted that the sentence was necessary to send a message to others not to assault police officers. He emphasized that the police did everything properly and they need to be protected in such situations.

CONTACT: Assistant District Attorney Clint Campion @ (907) 269-6300 or clinton.campion@alaska.gov at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.