A Los Angeles man is expected to plead guilty Tuesday to a charge of assaulting a federal agent during an immigration protest in June.
Christian Cerna-Camacho, 28, allegedly punched the officer during the demonstration in Paramount, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
When agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tried to detain Cerna-Camacho for the assault days after the protest, he attempted to drive away from them, prosecutors allege.
Agents used their car to chase Cerna-Camacho’s vehicle, pinning it between two unmarked vehicles on Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights, court papers show.
Officials said the suspect’s car contained a woman passenger and two children in the backseat when the vehicle was pinned.
Cerna-Camacho has agreed to plead guilty Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court to a single charge of assault on a federal officer.
DHS released a statement explaining the June 11 operation was a “targeted arrest” of a man described as a “violent rioter who punched a CBP officer,” referring to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.
“This was no hit and run,” the department posted on social media. “This was a targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer. When Homeland Security Investigations tried to arrest (Cerna-Camacho) for the assault, he attempted to flee. He was ultimately arrested and taken into custody.”