GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: Ziyaya Mtola, 39, faces two counts of failure to depart the United States and two counts of assault on a federal employee. The indictment stems from Mtola’s alleged resistance to removal orders in Ohio.
Mtola, a citizen of the Republic of South Africa, is accused of physically resisting efforts to remove him from the U.S. on March 29, 2013, and April 22, 2013. During the latter incident, he reportedly injured two immigration agents.
The charges come with potential severe penalties, as the sentence will be determined by the court’s review of factors like the defendant’s prior criminal record and role in the offense. However, the maximum sentence will not exceed the statutory limit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Tripi is handling the prosecution, following an investigation by agents of the Enforcement and Removal Operations of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by federal employees in enforcing immigration laws, and it underscores the serious consequences for those who resist or assault them while trying to carry out their duties.
An indictment is merely a charge, and Mtola is entitled to a fair trial, where the government will bear the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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