A Honduran national who was in the United States illegally is charged with felony assault of a federal officer after an incident in Foley on Monday.
Federal agents were conducting an immigration enforcement operation when Jose Romero-Pineda and his wife attempted to flee, the FBI said.
When confronted by a federal agent, investigators said Romero-Pineda punched an officer in the face. The FBI said the officer was attempting to detain the subject for suspected immigration offenses.
FBI special agents assisted the officer in detaining Romero-Pineda, but he continued to resist and disobey commands. He was taken into custody unharmed.
“Assaulting officers who are performing their duties to enforce the law carries justifiably serious penalties,” said United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. “The Department of Justice will zealously prosecute to the fullest any physical violence against the men and women who enforce our laws.”
Assault of a federal officer causing bodily injury is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
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