A Guatemalan national has been charged in federal court in Boston for allegedly resisting and assaulting federal officers during an immigration-related arrest.
Prosecutors said Manolo Morales Lopez, 29, faces one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers while they performed official duties. Morales Lopez appeared in court on September 12 and was released under certain conditions.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on September 12 in Woburn, Massachusetts. Federal agents were attempting to arrest a woman for an immigration law violation when Morales Lopez allegedly intervened by holding onto her arm and preventing her removal from a car. Agents reportedly warned him several times that he could be arrested for interfering. When agents tried to remove him from the vehicle, Morales Lopez is alleged to have grabbed one agent around the neck from behind after being pulled out of the car. The agent managed to avoid being put into a choke hold or headlock. Prosecutors allege that Morales Lopez continued to struggle as agents attempted to handcuff him.
If convicted of forcibly assaulting or resisting federal officers engaged in their duties, Morales Lopez could face up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing would be determined by a federal district court judge based on applicable guidelines and statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.”
“The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
