A Honduran national is facing serious charges after an altercation with federal officers at an immigration processing center in Karnes County. The incident, which occurred recently, has resulted in Jorge Alberto Maradiaga-Carias being charged with assaulting two detention officers.
During an argument that began to escalate, Maradiaga-Carias reportedly refused to comply with an officer’s instructions and made provocative gestures toward him. The situation intensified when he not only threatened to assault the detention officer but also encouraged other detainees to disregard the orders of the officers, claiming they did not have to listen to them because they were not ICE officers, according to court documents by the Department of Justice. As a supervisor stepped in to assist, the defendant allegedly assaulted him, landing blows to his head and placing him in a headlock.
The criminal complaint affidavit details how Maradiaga-Carias kicked the initial responding officer in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head against a brick wall. This officer received medical treatment for minor injuries and was placed on medical leave. The supervisor was diagnosed with a mild concussion. Maradiaga-Carias also reportedly attempted, but failed, to gain access to the supervising officer's OC spray during the altercation.
If convicted on the charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officers, Maradiaga-Carias could face up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons, confirmed the charges and ongoing investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is handling the prosecution of the case.
