Maria Isabel Cruz-Salas, Assaulting a Federal Officer, Texas 2024

Assaulting a Federal Officer Lands Texas Woman in Hot Water

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 37-year-old Mexican woman living in San Benito has been charged with assaulting an agent with Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Maria Isabel Cruz-Salas is expected for her next hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Betancourt on June 18 at 11:15. She is currently in custody.

The criminal complaint filed June 10 alleges Cruz-Salas assaulted a federal officer during a worksite immigration inspection in San Benito. According to the charges, authorities were conducting a lawful enforcement operation on June 9 at Taqueria El Mante, where they discovered Cruz-Salas.

As an HSI agent attempted to detain her, she allegedly kicked him in the face. If convicted, she faces a maximum of eight years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

ICE-HSI and the FBI are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

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