The teen faces up to eight years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
A South Texas man is facing federal criminal charges after officials say he attempted to interfere with a work site raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
A federal grand jury indicted Diego Misael Torres, 19, of Peñitas, on one count of assaulting or impeding a federal officer involving physical contact for his alleged conduct during a raid at a construction site late last month in Harlingen, in the Rio Grande Valley. Torres allegedly tried to “remove” an agent as the agent attempted to apprehend a person suspected to be in the United States unlawfully, according to a Justice Department news release.
“On Aug. 27, authorities were conducting a consensual worksite enforcement operation in Harlingen, according to the charges. Upon their arrival, several people allegedly fled from the area,” the news release states. “While authorities attempted to apprehend the illegal alien, Torres allegedly attempted to physically remove a law enforcement officer from that person,” it further reads.
ICE officials announced Torres’ arrest on social media, along with a reminder for civilians to refrain from interfering with immigration agents.
“We will not tolerate actions that obstruct or interfere with our agents as they carry out their lawful duties to protect our communities and enforce federal laws,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “Those who attempt to hinder our efforts will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.
The work site raid occurred at a subdivision that’s currently under construction in Harlingen, in Cameron County, though officials redacted the precise location in the criminal complaint against Torres.
It remains unclear how many people ICE agents may have apprehended during the operation. Earlier this year, the agency announced dozens of arrests during similar sweeps at construction sites in Brownsville and on South Padre Island. As soon as agents in the Harlingen operation identified themselves as law enforcement, “multiple individuals” allegedly fled.
After being taken into custody, Torres allegedly confessed to trying to impede an agent. Torres remains in custody and is slated to appear for an arraignment on September 25. He faces up to eight years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine if convicted.
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