A federal grand jury has indicted Diego Masiel Torres, 19, of Penitas, Texas, on charges of impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement agents. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas.
Torres is being held in custody following an earlier criminal complaint and will remain detained until his court appearance related to the indictment.
The charges stem from an incident on August 27, when authorities were conducting a consensual worksite enforcement operation in Harlingen. According to officials, several individuals fled the scene upon their arrival. During efforts to apprehend one person suspected of being in the country illegally, Torres allegedly tried to physically remove a law enforcement officer from that individual.
“The Southern District of Texas is committed to fully enforcing our country’s immigration laws, and anyone who tries to stop a federal agent from carrying out this mission will be held accountable before a judge and jury,” said Ganjei. “So, the message is simple. Don’t end up on the wrong end of a federal indictment – keep your hands to yourself.”
If convicted, Torres could face up to eight years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Salazar is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, which coordinates resources across multiple Justice Department programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods to address illegal immigration and related criminal activity nationwide.
Officials emphasized that an indictment represents only an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process.
