A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh has indicted Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez, a Nicaraguan national, for assaulting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during an enforcement operation in December 2025. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the indictment on Thursday.
According to DHS, ICE officers attempted to apprehend Davila-Perez after learning he had unsuccessfully tried to buy a firearm while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Federal law prohibits individuals who are not legal residents from possessing firearms.
During the targeted vehicle stop in Pittsburgh, authorities say Davila-Perez resisted arrest by ramming a law enforcement vehicle with his own car. He then allegedly assaulted federal officers by elbowing one in the face, attempting to take an officer’s gun, and using a handcuff as a weapon. Several officers were injured, sustaining abrasions, bruises, and at least one bite mark that required medical attention.
Davila-Perez was charged with assaulting a federal officer and could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
“Davila-Perez not only chose to break our nation’s immigration laws, but he also lied in an attempt to illegally purchase a gun and then brutally assaulted law enforcement. These are the dangerous situations our officers are facing every day in the field,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Thanks to rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and encouragement of illegal aliens to evade arrest, our officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Officials stated that Davila-Perez first entered the United States at the Paso Del Norte bridge port of entry in Texas on December 2, 2022. He was released into the country after his arrival.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated that law enforcement will continue enforcing immigration laws and prosecuting those who attack officers: “you will not stop or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The public is encouraged to report doxing or harassment targeting ICE officers through DHS’s tip line or online form.
