HOUSTON, TX – A brazen attack on a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer landed Sindi Vanessa Moreno-Flores, 28, in federal custody and facing a potential 20-year prison sentence. The incident, detailed in a criminal complaint, unfolded in Houston last week, adding another layer of complexity to the already strained immigration enforcement landscape.
According to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei’s office, the trouble began on September 23rd when an ICE officer approached Moreno-Flores as she entered her vehicle. Identifying himself, the officer informed her she was under arrest. Instead of complying, Moreno-Flores allegedly started the car and refused to shut it off or exit the vehicle. What followed was a violent struggle, according to the complaint.
The officer attempted to secure Moreno-Flores in handcuffs, but she allegedly resisted, scratching and swinging at the officer in an attempt to strike him. The struggle escalated as Moreno-Flores allegedly fled toward a group of bystanders, with a family member joining the fray and physically interfering with the officer’s attempt to detain her. Additional authorities eventually arrived to assist, finally securing Moreno-Flores.
The ICE officer sustained deep scratches on his arm and hands during the altercation. The complaint further reveals a disturbing detail: Moreno-Flores had been previously ordered removed from the United States in February 2024 after failing to appear for her immigration hearing. This wasn’t a simple arrest; it was the apprehension of a fugitive actively evading deportation.
“Federal law enforcement agents work hard to enforce our country’s democratically-enacted immigration laws,” Ganjei stated, signaling a hardline stance on attacks against federal officers. “It is unacceptable for illegal aliens to assault these agents as they carry out that important mission. The Southern District of Texas will prosecute those who do so every single time.” Moreno-Flores is charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer, a crime carrying a possible 20-year federal prison sentence. She also faces up to four years in prison if convicted of conspiring to hamper an alien’s departure, along with potential fines of up to $250,000 for both charges.
The investigation was conducted by ICE – Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Martin is prosecuting the case. This case falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at bolstering immigration enforcement, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities. Moreno-Flores is scheduled to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett on September 29th at 2 p.m. A criminal complaint is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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