Ricardo Trejo-Martinez and Hector Beltran-Ledesma, both identified as illegal aliens from Mexico, face charges of assaulting or resisting federal deportation officers in Georgia. These charges stem from two separate incidents. Additionally, Beltran-Ledesma is charged with illegally re-entering the United States after a prior deportation.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized the gravity of these offenses: “Interference with law enforcement and attacks on officers are unjustifiable. Abiding by a policy of zero tolerance, our Office will vigorously and expeditiously hold accountable anyone who endangers or violently obstructs federal law enforcement officers.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, stated: “Violence and physical resistance against our men and women of law enforcement who place themselves at risk to enhance public safety will never be tolerated. Our agents are committed to holding those who choose violence accountable, and thanks to their diligent efforts, Ricardo Trejo-Martinez and Hector Beltran-Ledesma, both illegal aliens, are now facing serious charges for their actions.”
The incidents leading to these charges occurred on May 20 and June 21 of this year. On May 20, a deportation officer stopped a vehicle driven by Trejo-Martinez in Commerce, Georgia. Trejo-Martinez allegedly refused to comply with requests for identification and pushed the officer into the highway during traffic.
On June 21, two officers attempted to arrest Beltran-Ledesma in Roswell, Georgia. He allegedly tried to flee upon seeing the officers and resisted arrest when confronted.
The public is reminded that these complaints only contain charges; the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
Both cases are being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
For more information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or call (404) 581-6185. Additional details can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
