Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Guatemalan national, Manolo Morales Lopez, has been charged in federal court in Boston for allegedly resisting and assaulting federal officers during an immigration-related arrest. According to prosecutors, Morales Lopez, 29, faces one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers while they performed their official duties.
The incident reportedly took place on September 12 in Woburn, Massachusetts. Authorities allege that as agents attempted to arrest a woman for violating immigration laws and remove her from a car, Morales Lopez intervened by holding onto the woman's arm to prevent her removal. Agents warned Morales Lopez that his actions could result in his own arrest for interfering with law enforcement. When agents tried to remove him from the vehicle, he allegedly grabbed one agent around the neck from behind after being pulled out of the car. The agent avoided a choke hold or headlock by ducking under Morales Lopez’s arm. Prosecutors state that Morales Lopez continued to struggle as agents attempted to handcuff him.
Morales Lopez appeared in federal court on September 12 and was released on conditions pending further proceedings.
If convicted of forcibly assaulting or interfering with federal officers engaged in official duties, Morales Lopez faces up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England announced the charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson is prosecuting the case.
"The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
