Hua Zhen Dong, a citizen of the Republic of China, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assaulting federal officers, according to an announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on July 23.
The indictment alleges that on July 9, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers found Dong in State College, Pennsylvania. An investigation revealed there was an immigration warrant for her arrest at that time. United States Attorney Brian D. Miller said Dong refused to comply with the officers’ investigation and “kicked, bit and scratched them as she resisted arrest.” Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, described as “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The operation also streamlines efforts from Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is eight years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge after consideration of applicable statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The office emphasized: “Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania serves about 3.2 million residents across 21,907 square miles with facilities in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre; it handles prosecutions of federal crimes as well as civil litigation for the government and victim assistance programs while promoting community safety through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods, according to its official website.