Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas, a 38-year-old Nicaraguan citizen residing in Albany, New York, faces charges of resisting, impeding, and assaulting a federal officer. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The federal complaint indicates that Garcia Rojas entered the United States illegally in 2023 and has been under removal proceedings since then. Recently, the Rotterdam Police Department informed HSI that Garcia Rojas and another individual had been charged with petit larceny and endangering the welfare of a child in New York State. Under the Laken Riley Act, both individuals were subject to immediate detention.
Federal agents obtained administrative warrants for their arrest and proceeded to the Rotterdam Police Department. After being placed inside a law enforcement vehicle in handcuffs, Garcia Rojas managed to free one hand from the cuffs, exited the vehicle, and attempted to walk away. An HSI Special Agent tried to re-arrest him but was met with resistance. During the confrontation, Garcia Rojas allegedly hit the agent in the jaw and pushed him into a door. It required at least six officers and a taser to subdue him.
The special agent sustained injuries including a bruised jaw, abrasions on hands and knees, and back injuries. Garcia Rojas reportedly claimed he was a police officer in Nicaragua trained in defensive tactics.
Charges against Garcia Rojas carry potential penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment, fines up to $250,000, and supervised release for up to three years. Sentencing will be determined by a judge considering various factors.
Garcia Rojas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart in Albany today and was detained pending a hearing on March 10.
The case is being investigated by HSI with help from the Rotterdam Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark.
