Federal Grand Jury Indicts Charlotte Man With Felony For Assaulting Federal Officers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury has returned a criminal indictment charging a Charlotte man with a felony for assaulting federal officers conducting immigration enforcement operations, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez, 24, is charged with a felony offense of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, and interfering with federal officers engaged in their official duties.

According to allegations in filed documents and information shared in court, on November 16, 2025, federal law enforcement officers attempted to make contact with Martinez after his van was observed at two different locations where federal officers were conducting immigration related operations. When the officers approached Martinez’s van, he fled the scene, driving aggressively and at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement used sirens and lights attempting to stop Martinez, but he allegedly continued to evade law enforcement, driving erratically and swerving in and out of traffic, crossing medians and sidewalks, and driving into oncoming traffic down University Boulevard. Ultimately, Martinez’s van struck a government vehicle that had its lights and sirens activated and was occupied by four federal officers. After striking the government vehicle, Martinez continued to flee until he was stopped and taken into custody.

If convicted, Martinez faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison for the felony offense. A federal district court judge will determine the ultimate sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is joined in making the announcement by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI.

The charges against the defendants are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.