Grand jury indicts Venezuelan illegal alien for assaulting federal officer

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A federal grand jury has indicted an illegal alien from Venezuela for allegedly assaulting a federal officer.

Kendry Jose Cubian-Perez, 40, allegedly punched a federal officer during apprehension.

"We will not tolerate assaults against law enforcement officers," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "As today's indictment shows, those who threaten the safety of our federal law enforcement partners will be prosecuted."

According to charging documents, on May 8, law enforcement officials were conducting surveillance of a residence in Powell, attempting to apprehend a known criminal alien. Cubian-Perez allegedly exited the residence and entered a vehicle registered to the target of the enforcement operation.

When an apprehension team officer turned on their emergency vehicle lights, Cubian-Perez allegedly attempted to flee. The defendant encountered an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officer and punched the officer in the face, causing the officer's tooth to puncture through his bottom lip.

Cubian-Perez allegedly continued punching the officer as the officer and others worked to apprehend the defendant. Officers were able to apprehend and arrest Cubian-Perez.

Cubian-Perez was charged by criminal complaint on May 8. The grand jury returned the one-count indictment against him today.

Assault of a federal officer inflicting bodily injury is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Kevin Raycroft, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit Field Office; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Pakiz is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #