NEWLY NATURALIZED CITIZEN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING FEDERAL AGENT WITH VEHICLE

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Ruben Dario Loja Castro, age 33, of Irvington, New Jersey, was sentenced to 12 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release, following a guilty plea earlier this year to resisting, impeding, and assaulting a federal officer engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury with his vehicle during a lawful traffic immigration enforcement stop along Interstate 90 on October 1, 2025. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

According to the plea and documents previously filed in the case, on October 1, 2025, law enforcement officers with HSI and other federal agencies conducted an immigration enforcement operation targeting an illegal alien residing in Albany who had recently been charged with rape of a minor. The agents observed the suspected individual exit a building in Albany and enter a car being driven by Loja Castro, a native of Ecuador who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in January 2025. Agents followed the car and pulled it over as it traveled westbound on Interstate 90. Loja Castro refused to comply with the agents' repeated requests that he turn off the ignition and provide identification for his passengers. As agents attempted to gain access to the vehicle, Loja Castro suddenly put the car into gear, slammed it back and forth into law enforcement vehicles, and then swerved in the direction of an HSI special agent who had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car. Loja Castro then fled the scene at a high rate of speed on Interstate 90. The agent suffered a sprained right wrist and other injuries. Loja Castro was located and arrested later that day, and has been detained ever since.

Following his release from prison, Loja Castro will be required to serve 1 year of supervised release.

"Mr. Loja Castro had the opportunity to live the American dream. After receiving his citizenship in 2025, he was on the right path to enjoy the freedom and opportunity that all Americans hold dear. Things took a turn when he began associating with a criminal illegal alien and alleged child rapist," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. "When law enforcement attempted to apprehend his associate, Mr. Lojas Castro put innocent lives at risk and defied lawful commands from federal agents. He has now come to understand the responsibility that comes with being an American citizen. In America, actions have consequences, and anyone who chooses to resist, impede, or assault a federal agent will be pursued without hesitation and brought to justice."

HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said "By his own admission, Ruben Dario Loja Castro used his vehicle as a weapon against HSI special agents who were placing their lives on the line for the sake of protecting the public. Attacks and attempted assaults on law enforcement will never be tolerated. I commend HSI Albany, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York and our invaluable law enforcement partners for placing the safety of our neighborhoods, our roadways, and the people above all else."

HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case.