Yellowhammer Times

A Honduran national, Jose Romero-Pineda, 46, has been charged with felony assault on a federal law enforcement officer during an immigration enforcement operation in Baldwin County, Alabama. The incident occurred during a multi-agency federal immigration operation in Foley, Alabama.

Court documents reveal that when the operation commenced, Romero-Pineda and a woman attempted to flee. A federal officer confronted them, leading to a physical altercation where Romero-Pineda allegedly struck the officer, causing a laceration to his lip. FBI Special Agents assisted in detaining Romero-Pineda after he resisted arrest. No further injuries were reported during the detention process.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Romero-Pineda is not authorized to be in the United States. "Assaulting officers who are performing their duties to enforce the law carries justifiably serious penalties," stated United States Attorney Sean P. Costello. He emphasized that the Department of Justice will prosecute any acts of violence against law enforcement personnel vigorously.

Romero-Pineda is set for an initial court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge P. Bradley Murray at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow. If convicted of assaulting a federal officer causing bodily injury, he faces up to twenty years in federal prison.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the case's investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Gaillard Ladd will prosecute it.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.