On July 17, during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation at a Home Depot in Sacramento, 31-year-old Jose Manuel Castillo Jr. allegedly refused officers’ commands. He also allegedly damaged a government vehicle, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez said, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Court documents state that Castillo shouted at agents and refused to leave during arrests. Agents reported hearing a pop and hissing sound after seeing him near a government SUV, which was later found with a punctured tire. Officers say Castillo tried to run but was caught, and they found a folding pocketknife that appeared to match the tire damage. He has not been detained and is scheduled for a court appearance, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Jose Manuel Castillo Jr. has been charged with damaging government property, an offense that could lead to up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted. The court will decide the sentence based on federal guidelines and other legal factors. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and further updates will depend on the results of the investigation and upcoming court proceedings, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
