An individual residing in the United States without legal status has been charged with assaulting a federal officer during an immigration enforcement operation in North Charleston, South Carolina. Alexander Garcia Vargas, 24, faces charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer.
On December 6, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, conducted an enforcement operation led by ICE – ERO. Officers encountered Garcia Vargas while he was driving a vehicle registered in his name. ICE records indicate that Garcia Vargas is living in the country illegally and is subject to a court order for removal.
During a traffic stop related to the operation, Garcia Vargas refused to roll down his window but provided identification confirming his identity. According to authorities, when an officer attempted to remove him from the vehicle, Garcia Vargas drove off, striking two police vehicles and injuring an officer.
Garcia Vargas fled the scene but later lost control of his vehicle and collided with another car occupied by two CBP officers. He was then apprehended by ERO and CBP officers at the site of the crash.
Garcia Vargas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker on December 8 for his initial court appearance. Detention and preliminary hearings are scheduled for December 10.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cole Shannon is prosecuting.
“All charges in the complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
