United States Attorney Steven Russell dropped the hammer on Balmore Hernandez-Castro, 24, of Lincoln, Nebraska, sentencing him to a stinging 30 months behind bars for assaulting federal law enforcement officers. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard, with no parole in sight. Hernandez-Castro’s punishment also includes two years of supervised release and a one-way ticket back to El Salvador after he serves his time.
Hernandez-Castro’s crime spree began on the morning of July 12, 2021, when he took a drive away from his home with another person in tow. But it was short-lived as two deportation officers from the Department of Homeland Security had other plans. They observed Hernandez-Castro and his companion enter a car and speed off. A few blocks later, the officers pulled over the vehicle.
When informed of the warrant for his arrest, Hernandez-Castro’s demeanor turned combative. He refused to exit the car, leading to a fierce struggle. During the scuffle, he unleashed his fury on the deportation officers, resorting to punches, kicks, and even bites in an attempt to avoid capture.
Rescue was on its way with several Lincoln Police Department officers responding to the 911 call. Their swift arrival and use of a Taser were crucial in subduing Hernandez-Castro. The suspect was finally brought into custody after the dramatic encounter.
The chase didn’t end there. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations took over the follow-up investigation, ensuring justice was served for the assaulted federal officers.
Hernandez-Castro pleaded guilty to his offense on September 21, 2022, leaving no room for leniency as he faces a lengthy stretch of imprisonment followed by supervised release and deportation. The United States District Court Judge’s sentence sends a clear message that assaulting federal officers will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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