Polk County deputies arrested a Mexican national after a routine traffic stop on Wednesday evening last week turned combative. At 6:02 p.m., deputies pulled over a white Ford Ranger pickup truck on Power Line Road, near Snell Creek Road in Davenport. The suspect reportedly resisted arrest by attempting to bite and kick the deputies.
According to WFLA, deputies saw 60-year-old Esteban Fernandez Uriostegui in the middle seat of the vehicle pulling a white baggie from his pocket and trying to hide it. As deputies tried to remove him from the vehicle, Uriostegui physically resisted and allegedly placed the baggie in his mouth during the struggle.
Following the altercation, deputies found that Uriostegui had cocaine and drug paraphernalia in his possession. He was taken to a hospital before being booked, as reported by WTSP. His charges include battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and tampering with evidence.
"This violent suspect is in the United States illegally from Mexico. Because of that, each of his crimes was enhanced by one degree because of his unlawful entry into the U.S.—as a result of a new state law that went into effect last month. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been notified, which means we should be seeing no more criminal behavior (in the U.S., at least) from this particular individual," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, according to Daily Ridge.
Despite the confrontation, the arresting deputies were not injured. Uriostegui is being held in Polk County Jail. Further legal actions are expected related to his charges and immigration status.
