Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty To Forcibly Impeding Federal Agent During Immigration Arrest

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Luz Mary Vasquez Cruz (45, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, or interfering with a federal officer engaged in official duties. Vasquez Cruz faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were conducting an immigration arrest of a Honduran national at a residence in Tampa when Vasquez Cruz and her co-defendant, Alfredo Javier Fuentes, exited the residence and placed themselves between agents and the subject of the arrest. Vasquez Cruz and Fuentes shoved an agent backwards, which allowed the subject of the arrest to flee into the residence and escape through a back window.

The case against Javier Fuentes is pending trial. 

This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

NOTE: This matter occurred on a previous date but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.