Nicaraguan National Indicted On Charges Of Assaulting Three Deportation Officers At ICE Facility In San Jose

SAN JOSE – A federal grand jury has indicted Francisco De-Jesus Morales on charges of assaulting three U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation officers at an ICE facility in San Jose. Morales was first charged by complaint in May 2025. He made his initial appearance in federal court on June 4, 2025, and was remanded into custody at that time by U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen.

According to the indictment, which was filed on June 12, 2025, and the previously filed complaint, Morales, 25, a national of Nicaragua, allegedly assaulted three ICE deportation officers at an ICE facility in San Jose on May 2, 2025, as those officers attempted to take Morales into custody pursuant to a warrant for Morales’ removal and deportation from the United States.

“Our office will not tolerate any form of violence against the brave men and women who keep us safe. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the residents of the Northern District of California and supporting our law enforcement partners,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “Those who use violence against federal officers should know that they will be met with the full force of the law.”

“HSI San Francisco does not take assaults on anyone, especially federal officers, lightly. We care deeply about the safety of our agents and partnering agencies,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Ciapas.

The complaint alleges that Morales physically resisted arrest and attempted to flee from the deportation officers, resulting in a struggle and injuries to Morales and the officers. All three deportation officers and Morales received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the physical altercation. The deportation officers’ injuries include bruising, scrapes, an ankle stress fracture/strain, a chest contusion, and a groin injury. The indictment charges Morales with forcibly assaulting one of the deportation officers, causing significant groin bruising, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1) and (b), and with assaults of the other two officers, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). Morales is next scheduled to appear in district court on June 24, 2025, for arraignment on the indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen.

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on Count One, which charges assault on a federal officer inflicting bodily injury, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1) and (b). He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on Count Two, which charges assault on a federal officer with physical contact, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). And he faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted on Count Three, which charges misdemeanor assault on a federal officer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Lord and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Nedrow are prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI.