MEXICAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING FEDERAL OFFICERS

United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall announced that a federal grand jury recently returned a one-count indictment charging Evodio Merida-Tavera, age 42, a Mexican national who is present in the United States without authorization, with assaulting federal officers.

According to the indictment, Merida-Tavera used a motor vehicle as a dangerous weapon to assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with two United States Border Patrol officers while they were engaged in the performance of their duties.

If convicted of the assault charges, Merida-Tavera faces up to twenty years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Merida-Tavera is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completing any sentence imposed.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson.

This case is 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.