POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A federal agent was attacked by an “illegal alien” on Tuesday morning, sparking an investigation into his whereabouts, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said that the agent was attacked while trying to take the man into custody near Reynolds Road in Lakeland.
“The suspect fled, and PCSO responded to assist,” the release reads. “He burglarized a business before being apprehended by deputies.”
The sheriff’s office identified the man as Denis Corea Miranda, 21, from Nicaragua.
Sheriff Grady Judd held a news briefing on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the incident and Miranda’s background.
Judd revealed that Miranda had been stopped by Border Patrol agents in 2021 while he was entering the country through California.
“They gave him a court date, and they released him,” Judd stated. “That’s right: catch and release.”
By 2024, Miranda had been arrested in Galveston, Texas, on a charge of DUI, Judd added. But Miranda reportedly didn’t show up for court, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest.
“However, it is a no-extradition warrant, which simply means if they get outside of the jurisdiction — whether that’s the state or the county — then if you come in contact with this person, they will not take him into custody on those particular charges," the sheriff explained.
[You can watch the full news conference in the video below]
According to Judd, two ICE agents tracked Miranda to 1009 Buccaneer Drive in Lakeland, as Miranda now had a warrant for deportation.
Upon arrival, the investigators found Miranda get into a truck with two other people and leave the area, causing investigators to follow the vehicle out to Reynolds Road before pulling it over, Judd said.
“They immediately inform him that they are going to take him into custody,” Judd stated. “And he tries to run.”
The sheriff revealed that one of the two agents managed to grab Miranda, and the pair toppled to the ground as a “scuffle” ensued for around five minutes.
During the fight, the other agent pepper-sprayed Miranda, who got away and ran into the woods, the sheriff said. Despite chasing him into the woods, the agents lost sight of him.
Instead, the agents contacted the PCSO, which began searching for Miranda. Judd also said that the agent who fought with Miranda had injured his shoulder, necessitating a trip to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Miranda had fled and hidden at a nearby loading dock, where he was found by an employee.
“He asked for a glass of water,” Judd continued. “So the employee goes back in, locks the door, dials 911, and says, ‘Hey, I’ve seen the deputies out here. There’s this really strange person on our loading dock.’”
However, Miranda managed to flee again, though Judd said deputies were ultimately able to apprehend him without further incident.
In addition to the deportation order, Miranda now faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, resisting without violence, and burglary of an occupied structure.
Judd hinted that Miranda could face federal charges, as well.
Regardless, Judd said that Miranda had admitted to what happened, claiming he’d run because he “didn’t want to be deported.”
Judd added that the other two people who had been with Miranda were also in the country illegally.