NEWARK, NJ (AZFamily) — A protester from Phoenix was charged with assault on a federal law enforcement officer for punching a federal agent in the face during a protest in New Jersey last week, federal prosecutors said.
According to court documents, on Friday, June 5, officers and special agents with Homeland Security were conducting crowd control during a protest near an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, that 31-year-old Mariano Anthony Perez attended.
During the protest, Perez was seen walking back and forth near the entrance of the facility. Agents patrolling the area told Perez and other demonstrators to move away so law enforcement vehicles could enter.
Shortly after, a special agent was standing near the entrance while several law enforcement vehicles attempted to enter the facility. Perez allegedly tried to walk past the agent toward the vehicles but was physically pulled back. The agent told Perez he could not walk that way.
Perez allegedly pushed past the agent and continued in that direction.
The agent followed and told Perez to stop, then attempted to grab Perez. At that point, Perez abruptly turned around and punched the agent in the face with a closed fist, authorities said.
A protester from Arizona was charged with assault on a federal law enforcement officer for punching a federal agent in the face during a protest in New Jersey last week, federal prosecutors said.(Department of Justice)
The agent sustained injuries to his upper and lower lips, prosecutors said. The assault was captured on video from publicly accessible social media accounts and from pole cameras in the area, authorities said.
“Violent acts committed during what should be peaceful protests will not be tolerated,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “Homeland Security Investigations remains resolute in ensuring that individuals who threaten or attack law enforcement face the full force of the law.”
The charge of assaulting a federal officer resulting in physical contact carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
clarification: Court documents and a press release contradict each other in identifying Perez as either a man or woman.
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