Anger management counselor jailed for one year for pulling gun on federal Marshalls in traffic incident

August 25, 2010

On July 23, 2010, the Virginia Department of Health Professions suspended the licenses of professional counselor and marriage & family therapist Jose Luis Avila.  

This action was based on Avila’s June 29, 2010 conviction for Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement Officer while Engaged in the Performance of his Official Duties, a felony, for which Avila was sentenced to twelve months in prison (USA v. Avila, Case 1:10CR00133-001, USM No. 75001-083, United State District Court, Eastern District of Virginia).  

Avila worked as an anger management counselor.

According to court documents, on Jan. 25, 2010, Avila honked his horn at two men who had just returned to their cars.  Unbeknownst to Avila, the two men were federal Marshalls who had just returned from completing a witness interview.  Avila initially left the scene after one of the men waved him around.  Avila then turned his car around and pointed a loaded firearm at them.  The Marshals apprehended Avila and recovered the firearm after a brief pursuit.

Avila is also required to be on two years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Source: Judgment in a Criminal Case, USA v. Avila, Case 1:10CR00133-001, USM No. 75001-083, United State District Court, Eastern District of Virginia and Order in Re: Jose Luis Avila, L.P.C, M.F.T., License Nos. 0701-002091 and 0717-000500, Before the Department of Health Professionals, State of Virginia and "Anger management counselor in prison for assault," Alexandria News, August 9, 2010.