Utica, MI – A Venezuelan national living in the United States illegally is facing federal charges after authorities say he assaulted a federal agent and briefly grabbed the agent’s firearm while resisting arrest during an enforcement operation in Macomb County.
Federal prosecutors say Arnoldo Jose Marquez-Pulido, 33, has been charged in a criminal complaint with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and possessing the officer’s firearm during the incident. The charges stem from an attempted arrest carried out by members of a Homeland Security Task Force operating in Utica, Michigan.
According to the complaint, agents were conducting surveillance after receiving information that illegal immigrants were working as delivery drivers at a local business. During the operation, investigators identified a vehicle registered to Marquez-Pulido, whom they determined was in the country illegally after entering the United States at the San Ysidro border crossing in California in April 2024 without a visa or valid travel documents. Authorities said he was later paroled into the United States.
Agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop after Marquez-Pulido left the business. Prosecutors say he briefly stopped before fleeing at a high rate of speed. To avoid initiating a dangerous pursuit, agents shut off their emergency lights but continued following the vehicle.
Investigators say Marquez-Pulido eventually returned to the same business parking lot and fled on foot. When he ignored commands to stop, a federal task force agent tackled him as he attempted to run into the building.
During the struggle, authorities allege Marquez-Pulido struck the agent in the face with his elbow and forcibly resisted arrest. Prosecutors say he then reached for the agent’s service weapon — a Glock Model 19 pistol — removing it from the holster and briefly gaining control of it before losing his grip as the agent flipped him onto the ground.
Additional officers quickly arrived and recovered the firearm after it fell to the ground, according to the complaint. Authorities say Marquez-Pulido continued resisting before being restrained.
Two agents were treated for injuries following the altercation. One suffered a contusion to his elbow, abrasions on his knees and hands, and a bruise on his cheek, while another agent sustained a knee injury. Both were treated at a hospital and later released.
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said the allegations highlight the dangers officers face while enforcing immigration laws.
“Some say that enforcing our nation’s immigration laws is unfair because illegal aliens are all harmless. Today’s allegations break that narrative. High speed flight from arrest, fighting federal agents, and grabbing an agent’s gun are not ‘harmless.’ And what’s ‘unfair’ is the fact that Americans pay the price for dangerous illegal aliens,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to holding accountable those who threaten law enforcement and public safety,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “Attacks like this endanger not only our agents, but everyone in the vicinity. HSI Detroit will continue to respond decisively whenever our agents and partners are confronted with violence.”
“Every day ICE Detroit officers work closely with our federal partners to safeguard our communities and uphold the integrity of our nation’s immigration system,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit acting Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft. “At a time when ICE officers are facing a 1,300 percent increase in assaults, ERO Detroit will relentlessly target illegal aliens who resort to violence against our officers and work to ensure they are removed from our communities
Marquez-Pulido made his initial appearance in federal court in Detroit on Wednesday, where prosecutors indicated they will seek to keep him in custody while the case proceeds.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation, and Marquez-Pulido is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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