Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
Francisco De-Jesus Morales, a Nicaraguan national, has been charged with forcibly assaulting a deportation officer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident occurred at an ICE facility in San Jose on May 2, 2025.
According to the criminal complaint and court documents filed today, Morales, aged 25, resisted arrest when three deportation officers attempted to take him into custody based on a warrant for his removal and deportation from the United States. During the altercation, both Morales and the officers sustained injuries that required medical attention. The officers' injuries included bruising, scrapes, an ankle stress fracture or strain, a chest contusion, and a groin injury. Morales is accused of causing significant groin bruising to one of the officers.
Currently held in ICE custody pending removal according to his deportation order, Morales faces serious legal consequences if convicted. "A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed," noted Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King during their announcement. They emphasized that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
If found guilty of assaulting a federal officer inflicting bodily injury under 18 U.S.C. §§ 111(a)(1) and (b), Morales could face up to 20 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court following consideration of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Lord and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Nedrow with assistance from Susan Kreider as part of an investigation conducted by HSI.
