Agent injured during immigration arrest in Bellevue, Venezuelan man charged with attempted murder
BELLEVUE, Neb. (WOWT) - Immigrations and Customs Enforcement gave an update on Wednesday’s operation in Bellevue on Friday.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, 30-year-old Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco was charged on a criminal complaint with one count of attempted murder of a federal officer.
According to the release, Hurtado-Cariaco, allegedly a citizen of Venezuela residing illegally in Bellevue and a member of Tren de Aragua, was stopped while driving in Bellevue.
After he stopped, Hurtado-Cariaco exited the vehicle with his hands in the air, and the agents gave commands to him and attempted to put him in handcuffs.
During this attempt, Hurtado-Cariaco began to fight with one agent that left both of the men on the ground.
Hurtado-Caiaco then threw the agent off of him, leading to the agent having his head and elbow be forcefully struck against the pavement.
According to the release, a second agent came in to assist, again ending with the agent and Hurtado-Cariaco landing on the ground.
Hurtado-Cariaco then maneuvered into a position where he could keep the injured agent in a chokehold. He ignored commands from the other agent and continued to choke the injured agent on the ground.
The second agent then placed Hurtado-Cariaco in a chokehold to stop the assault.
The release then says Hurtado-Cariaco released his chokehold and used his leverage to run away from the scene.
Agents then pursued Hurtado-Cariaco on foot, where he was found at his apartment and was arrested without further incident.
After the arrest, the injured agent was transported to the hospital for further treatment.
“Violence against federal law enforcement officers in the line of duty will not be tolerated in Nebraska,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods.
“Federal law enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing the laws of the United States and they must be able to do so safely. These federal agents maintained their professionalism while being met with potentially fatal violence. Despite sustaining injuries, the agents did not give up and made a successful arrest.”
According to the release, Hurtado-Cariaco went before a Magistrate Judge where he was ordered to be detained.
According to the release, a criminal complaint is a charging document that contains accusations, but no formal charges.
