Two suspects have been arrested for dangerous actions they allegedly took to interfere with federal authorities rounding up suspected human traffickers in California.
On Friday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that suspects have been charged following an incident that unfolded in February in the Los Angeles area.
Gustavo Torres, 28, and Kiara Jaime-Flores, 34, were both charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer.
“The arrests stem from an incident that occurred Feb. 28 that involved ICE Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol agents who were serving four criminal search and arrest warrants to a known transnational criminal organization allegedly involved with international human smuggling,” ICE explained in a press release.
“As the agents were departing the area in identifiable government vehicles, Torres and Jaime-Flores were observed following the agents, then allegedly using their vehicle to cut off the agents by conducting blocking maneuvers, then speeding up, pulling in front of the government vehicles, and stopping abruptly in what was thought to be an attempt to cause a collision.”
Torres and Jaime-Flores face up to six years in federal prison if convicted.
âImpeding law enforcement activity is not only dangerous, itâs illegal,â said acting ICE HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco.
âHSI is committed to carrying out their law enforcement duties in a professional manner without being incumbered by those looking to impede lawful enforcement actions.â
An investigation is ongoing.