SAN JOSE — A Nicaraguan national was charged Wednesday with assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while he was being taken into custody in San Jose for deportation proceedings, federal authorities said.
Francisco De-Jesus Morales, 25, faces one count of forcibly assaulting a deportation officer, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
On May 2, three deportation officers attempted to take Morales into custody at an ICE facility in San Jose to carry out a warrant for his deportation, prosecutors said. Morales allegedly resisted and tried to flee, which resulted in a struggle with the three officers.
Morales and the three officers sustained injuries and were provided medical treatment, prosecutors said. Injuries suffered by the officers included a groin injury, an ankle strain or stress fracture, a chest contusion, scrapes and bruising. Government officials did not describe Morales’ injuries.
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His charge is for causing “significant groin bruising” to one of the officers, federal prosecutors said. Morales remains in custody of ICE while his deportation is pending.
If convicted of the assault charge, Morales could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said.