Sindi Vanessa Moreno-Flores, a Honduran national living in the U.S. illegally, has been charged after allegedly assaulting an ICE officer during her attempted arrest. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei said she could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
On Tuesday morning, ICE officers tried to arrest Moreno-Flores as she was getting into her car. She allegedly tried to drive away and struggled with the officer, including a family member in the fight. Additional officers came to help, and the ICE officer received scratches on his arm and hands. Moreno-Flores had a removal order from February 2024 after missing her immigration court date, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Moreno-Flores faces charges for assaulting a federal officer and for allegedly attempting to hinder her removal from the country, with each charge carrying potential prison time and fines of up to $250,000. These proceedings are part of "Operation Take Back America," an initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations. She is set to appear in court on September 29 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Martin, with Homeland Security Investigations leading the investigation, supported by the DEA and IRS Criminal Investigation, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
