CHICAGO, IL – Six individuals are facing federal charges after a brazen attack on a federal agent engaged in immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago suburb of Broadview last month. The group allegedly surrounded a government vehicle, physically impeding the agent’s progress and causing damage to the vehicle itself, according to an indictment unsealed today.
MICHAEL RABBITT, 62, of Chicago; KATHERINE MARIE ABUGHAZALEH, 26, of Chicago; ANDRE MARTIN, 27, of Providence, R.I.; CATHERINE SHARP, 29, of Chicago; BRIAN STRAW, 38, of Oak Park, Ill.; and JOSELYN WALSH, 31, of Chicago, are all charged with conspiracy to impede a U.S. law enforcement officer and individual counts of impeding a U.S. law enforcement officer. The indictment details how the defendants, along with others, allegedly crowded around the vehicle on September 26, 2025, blocking its path, banging on it, and pushing against it.
“No one is above the law and no one has the right to obstruct it,” declared Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Federal agents perform dangerous, essential work every single day to enforce our immigration laws and keep our communities safe. When individuals resort to force or intimidation to interfere with that mission, they attack not only the agents themselves but the rule of law they represent. The Department of Justice will never tolerate such conduct and will continue to hold accountable anyone who seeks to impede lawful federal operations.”
The damage allegedly inflicted wasn’t limited to obstruction. The indictment states the group broke a side mirror and rear windshield wiper, and even etched a derogatory message onto the vehicle’s body. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Andrew S. Boutros, was unequivocal: “All federal officials must be able to discharge the duties of their office without confronting force, intimidation, or threats. We will seek to hold accountable those who cross the line from peaceful protests to unlawful actions… The rule of law must always be upheld.”
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas S. DePodesta added a stark warning: “The FBI has zero tolerance for forcible criminal conduct against law enforcement officers engaged in their lawful functions. Impeding federal officers performing their duties or conspiring to do so are criminal offenses.” The FBI is actively seeking information on additional individuals involved, and a video of the incident is available for public review. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI Chicago Field Office via https://tips.fbi.gov/home.
Arraignments for Rabbitt, Abughazaleh, Martin, Sharp, Straw, and Walsh are scheduled for November 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Heather K. McShain. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment represents accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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