ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An undocumented immigrant from Mexico has been arrested after getting into a “physical altercation” with an ICE agent in Orange County last week, according to the FLHSMV.
In a release, state officials said the incident happened on June 16, when law enforcement conducted a traffic stop near Americana Boulevard and Pointe Vista Circle.
“During the stop, multiple occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot,” the release reads. “An ICE agent pursued one of the fleeing subjects and attempted to lawfully detain him.”
A fight ensued as the suspect — identified as Elias Bautista, a Mexican national who came into the country illegally — resisted capture and kept trying to get away, officials added.
During the struggle, investigators noted that Bautista struck the ICE agent, causing the agent to suffer a “significant head injury” before Bautista fled the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, the FLHSMV announced that detectives managed to locate Bautista on June 18, taking him into custody with the help of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office.
“The suspect was taken into custody after again resisting law enforcement efforts and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, which is a felony offense,” the release continues.
In response to the incident, ERO Miami Field Office Director Matthew Elliston said that there has been a “massive increase in violence and threats” against federal law enforcement.
“Assaulting and obstructing law enforcement officers is a felony, and anyone who does so will be fully prosecuted,” Elliston said. “ICE officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults, a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats. This is unacceptable.”