A Jacksonville woman, Jennifer Susan Cruz, 40, has been charged federally with assaulting law enforcement officers during an immigration operation. The charge carries a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. The incident occurred while federal immigration officers, assisted by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), were conducting arrests of individuals in the U.S. without legal authorization.
Cruz was driving past the immigration checkpoint while recording the activity on her cellphone. When a trooper addressed her about using the phone while driving, she became confrontational. A records check later showed her driver’s license was suspended. As officers attempted to impound her vehicle, Cruz struck a trooper and resisted arrest, and an ICE officer was also injured. She is facing charges in connection with the incident.
The situation escalated when Cruz refused to turn over her vehicle keys and made comments to officers, referring to ICE agents using the term “Nazis.” The confrontation intensified as Cruz attempted to leave the scene, prompting additional law enforcement intervention. Multiple officers were involved in restraining her as she continued to resist and assault them, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
While being transported in a patrol vehicle, Cruz reportedly acknowledged that her response may have been excessive. She apologized to the trooper she struck and stated that she was unsure why she acted as she did, recognizing that the trooper was performing her duties.
The investigation into the incident is being conducted jointly by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier is handling the prosecution. A formal complaint has been filed, and, as with all defendants, Cruz is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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