ICE Officer Bitten in San Diego Struggle

⏱ 3 min read

San Diego – A five-minute struggle with a federal agent ended with a bite. Robert Antonio Bastardo Llovera, 32, a Venezuelan national living in the US illegally, was sentenced today to eight months and two days in federal prison for assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officer near Mission Bay on July 15, 2025. Bastardo sunk his teeth into the officer’s forearm during a struggle following his arrest for an immigration violation.

Court records show Bastardo was already facing deportation. An Immigration Judge had ordered him removed from the US on June 10, 2025, after he skipped a scheduled court appearance. Federal prosecutors say the assault happened as officers attempted to take him into custody for that violation.

Bastardo pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026, to the assault charge. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but ultimately received a significantly lighter sentence.

Federal officials are keen to send a message. “Our office will continue to prioritize the protection of federal officers engaged in their lawful duties,” stated U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Murphy echoed that sentiment, vowing to hold accountable “any individuals who assault law enforcement.” This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, a government-wide effort to target criminal organizations.