Two Chicago residents have been charged in federal court for allegedly using their vehicles to assault and impede federal agents. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Marimar Martinez, 30, and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, are accused of striking a vehicle driven by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent on Saturday morning near West 39th Street and South Kedzie Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side. Two other CBP agents were also present in the government vehicle.
The complaint states that after colliding with the agents’ vehicle, Martinez and Ruiz used their vehicles to box in the agents' car, preventing it from moving. The agent driving the vehicle exited and fired about five shots from his service weapon at Martinez.
Martinez reportedly left the scene but was later found by paramedics at a repair shop approximately one mile away. She was transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds.
Ruiz also left after the incident but was located by law enforcement at a gas station about half a block from where the collision occurred. Both individuals remain in custody as they await their initial appearances in federal court.
The charges against Martinez and Ruiz include forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal law enforcement officer.
United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta announced the charges.
“The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to the announcement.
