UPDATED: Former Moses Lake doctor arrested after shootout with U.S. Marshals in Florida

Editor's Note: This story has been updated throughout with additional information from various agencies involved in the case or in managing medical licensing in Washington. 

STUART, Fla. — Former Moses Lake surgeon Thomas Earl Steffens, 72, has been arrested in Florida after an altercation with U.S. Marshals who were serving a sexual assault warrant during a traffic stop March 2.  

According to a statement from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Steffens was wanted due to allegations that he had drugged a woman in Colorado and sexually assaulted her on Jan. 28. After his arrest, Steffens faces two charges of Sexual Assault, a charge of Second Degree Assault – Strangulation and Third Degree Assault. Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, including two MCSO deputies and two River County, Florida deputies and U.S. Marshals, eventually tracked down the vehicle Steffens was in. When asked to come out, Steffens reportedly said he’d never be taken alive and opened fire on law enforcement.  

During the subsequent shootout, Steffens was shot multiple times, the U.S. Marshals press release said. He was treated at a nearby hospital and is expected to survive. He faces sexual assault charges out of Colorado as well as attempted murder charges related to the shooting.  

A U.S. Marshal was also wounded in the leg, treated at a nearby hospital and released the following day, the announcement said. The officer is expected to make a full recovery.  

John Doyle, public information officer with the Washington State Department of Health, said no complaints were filed against Steffens while he practiced medicine in the Evergreen State. Complaints against providers may be filed at https://bit.ly/WADOHCOMPLAINT. Additional information on the complaints process may be found at https://bit.ly/DOHPROCESS.  

Neither the Grant County Sheriff's Office nor the Moses Lake Police Department have record of Steffens as a person of interest in prior investigations during his time practicing medicine in the Columbia Basin, representatives of those agencies said. Washington court records show no prior criminal history either, with only a 2019 divorce case on file.  

GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman said those who have been assaulted by anyone should reach out for assistance and connections to resources that can help in recovery.  

“If someone feels they or someone else is the victim of a crime, they should call 509-762-1160 so an investigation can begin,” Foreman said. “New Hope is also available to help victims of (domestic violence or sexual assault).” 

New Hope may be contacted at 888-560-6027. 

GCSO, MLPD and the Martin County, Florida Sheriff’s Office staff advised that anyone who may have been assaulted by Steffens or other medical practitioners file a complaint with local law enforcement.  

“We urge anyone who believes they have fallen victim to a similar-type incident to contact their local law enforcement agency.  In most cases, incidents need to be reported, investigated, and prosecuted within the jurisdiction of where the crime occurred.  So, if investigators find cause to arrest Steffens in Moses Lake, they would have to file a warrant for his arrest.  Steffens would then be extradited back to the State of Washington to stand trial for any crimes he committed there,” said MCSO Lt. David Yun. 

    Steffens
  

    The vehicle Steffens was riding in was struck several times during a shootout with U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies.