Victor Hugo Rocha-Romero, 36, of Mexico and residing in Lake Charles, was sentenced on July 30 by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr., to over a year in federal prison after pleading guilty earlier in July to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees.
According to court documents, Rocha-Romero had previously received a final Order of Removal from the United States. On June 30, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations agents located him at a gas station in Lake Charles as they attempted to execute the removal order. Initially cooperative with agents, Rocha-Romero tried to flee when agents attempted to place him in restraints. During this escape attempt, he made physical contact with an agent that resulted in abrasions and damage to the agent’s clothing. He was immediately restrained and later admitted to resisting and interfering with the agents.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana announced the sentencing. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Cassidy and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.
The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), described as a nationwide initiative that brings together resources from the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration issues and targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
Operation Take Back America coordinates efforts among Department agencies as well as state and local law enforcement through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Additional information about PSN is available on the Department of Justice website.