U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended a Guatemalan national, Miguel Tamup-Tamup, also known as Miguel Us-Tamup, in Providence, Rhode Island. The 28-year-old was arrested on charges of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a law enforcement officer during an official duty.
The incident occurred on April 30 when ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, along with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, attempted to detain Tamup for being illegally present in the United States. During the arrest attempt, Tamup allegedly resisted by struggling with the officers and agents. This resulted in a serious injury to one of the HSI special agents involved.
"This individual’s aggressive actions during a lawful arrest led to serious injury to our special agents," stated ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. "The safety of our special agents and officers is paramount and those who resist and commit assault will find themselves facing serious criminal consequences."
According to the criminal complaint, Tamup was operating a vehicle when he was stopped by law enforcement. He refused to exit the car initially but was eventually guided out by officers. As they tried to handcuff him, he resisted by throwing his upper body against them and flailing his arms. During this altercation, an agent fell and sustained a leg injury while Tamup fled the scene.
Tamup's presence in the U.S. came under scrutiny following his arrest by the Providence Police Department on April 19 for driving under the influence after allegedly colliding with another vehicle. His fingerprints matched ICE records indicating illegal status in the country.
On May 15, ICE located Tamup at a residence in Providence and took him into custody. He appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and has been ordered detained pending further proceedings.
It is important to note that a federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
