Francisco De-Jesus Morales, a 25-year-old Nicaraguan national, was charged with assaulting a deportation officer at an ICE facility in San Jose, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King. The incident occurred during a confrontation when Mr. Morales was to be taken into custody under a removal warrant, the U.S. Attorney's Office stated.
On May 2, when the ICE officer, along with two others, attempted to detain Mr. Morales, he allegedly resisted and tried to escape, resulting in physical injuries to himself and the officers, including a stress fracture/strain, contusions, bruises, and significant groin bruising. All parties involved received medical attention, according to court documents. Mr. Morales, meanwhile, is held in ICE custody, awaiting the execution of his deportation order.
The charge of forcibly assaulting a federal officer carries potentially heavy penalties. If convicted, Morales could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 under the stipulations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(a)(1) and (b). The case underscores not just the physical risks immigration officers encounter, but the plight and desperation of those confronted with deportation.
