A Cuban man stands accused of assaulting federal officers after an arrest attempt escalated into a violent confrontation last month. Juan Carlos Rodriguez Romero, 54, faces federal charges including two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, as announced by U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
According to an indictment, Rodriguez Romero tried to forcefully resist removal by ICE deportation officers on the morning of December 21 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The encounter grew tense when Rodriguez Romero reportedly refused to comply and tried to quickly drive away, nearly hitting officers on foot. After colliding with two parked cars, he apparently tried to speed off once more, striking an officer in the process. During his ultimate apprehension, Rodriguez Romero bit an officer, causing a bleeding wound. Following the altercation, two officers required hospital treatment for their injuries, including bruised ribs, a dislocated finger, and a bite wound. The Department of Justice reports that Rodriguez Romero is now detained pending a detention hearing.
Rodriguez Romero could be facing a serious prison sentence if convicted, up to twenty years for the charge involving a dangerous weapon. This case has brought together the investigative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, signaling the severity with which such incidents are regarded by law enforcement agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Syngen Kanassatega is set to diligently prosecute the case, which remains in its pre-trial stage. It’s important to note that while these charges are grave, "an indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," as stressed by the U.S. Attorney’s office. The unfolding of this case will likely offer to closely examine the circumstances under which federal officers engage with individuals slated for removal, and the desperate lengths to which some may go to elude capture.
