Two Men Facing Federal Charges For Assaulting Ice Officers

Baltimore Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced it filed a criminal complaint today, against Anderson Martinez-Montenegro, 28, and Elmer Ortiz-Berduo, 37, both citizens of Guatemala and unlawfully present in the United States. They are charged with resisting arrest and assault on federal officers.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the criminal complaint with Acting Field Office Director Jeremy Bacon, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to court documents, on Saturday November 29, 2025, ICE officers investigated a Salisbury, Maryland, work site. During the investigation, law enforcement encountered both Martinez-Montenegro and Ortiz-Berduo in a work truck. The ICE officers attempted to identify the driver who refused to roll down his window.

As officers began to breach the window, the driver agreed to step out of the car. Martinez-Montenegro also stepped out of the passenger side, but while law enforcement detained him, he struck one of the officers. Ortiz-Berduo, who was the rear passenger, tried to run away but officers captured him. Then Ortiz-Berduo refused to comply with orders, as he struck the officers and attempted to stab them with the prongs of a taser that law enforcement deployed. ICE officers ultimately subdued and arrested both men.

Martinez-Montenegro and Ortiz-Berduo face a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison for the assault.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen McGuinn and Victoria Liu and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Mills who are prosecuting the federal case.

A complaint is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by complaint are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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