A federal grand jury has charged 19-year-old Diego Masiel Torres of Penitas with interfering with federal law enforcement. Prosecutors say he tried to pull an officer away from someone being detained during a worksite enforcement operation in Harlingen on August 27, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, several people fled when authorities arrived, and while officers attempted to arrest an undocumented immigrant, Torres allegedly interfered. If convicted, he faces up to eight years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Torres has remained in custody since the initial criminal complaint was filed and is awaiting a court appearance on the charges.
Torres was indicted following an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Salazar handling the prosecution. He is connected to Operation Take Back America, described as “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration,” which also addresses cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime. The effort involves programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
