A Guatemalan citizen residing illegally in the United States has been sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Juan Jose Antuche-Garcia, 33, received his sentence from Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak on September 15, 2025.
Court documents show that Antuche-Garcia entered the country without authorization on September 3, 2023. He was released on bond by immigration authorities but did not appear for a scheduled immigration court hearing in May 2024. Following his failure to appear, an immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S.
On August 12, 2025, Antuche-Garcia was found by immigration officials in Robinson Township, Pennsylvania. Federal officers attempted to stop a vehicle in which he was a passenger using emergency lights and sirens on five unmarked vehicles. The driver did not stop and instead rammed one of the officers’ vehicles, resulting in an officer’s leg being pinned between the door frame and door. The driver and another passenger fled the scene. Antuche-Garcia also tried to escape by forcefully opening his door into the vehicle behind him where the officer's leg was pinned, causing further injury.
Antuche-Garcia has remained in custody since his arrest and will continue to be held pending removal proceedings.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted the case.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti said: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration are commended for their investigation leading to this successful prosecution."
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative of the Department of Justice aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations as well as addressing illegal immigration and violent crime.
