SAN JUAN, PR – An illegal alien from the Dominican Republic was taken into federal custody in late June after officials say the suspect assaulted a Border Patrol agent with a vehicle while working the Ramey Sector in Puerto Rico.
According to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a 20-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, identified as Bernis Díaz de la Cruz, was approached by Border Patrol agents on June 25th after observing “suspected illegal activity inside” the vehicle in which the suspect was seated in.
U.S.B.P. Chief Michael Banks clarified in a follow up statement posted to X that the agents detected “the smell of marijuana” from the vehicle Cruz was seated in, which happened to be “parked in an area notorious for illicit activity.”
As the agents approached and subsequently confronted Cruz, the suspect reportedly refused to follow commands delivered by the agents and instead “rapidly accelerated the vehicle toward one of the Border Patrol Agents who was standing in front of the vehicle,” according to the press release.
In response, the unnamed agent reportedly was able to avoid being struck by the vehicle.
However, authorities say the suspect’s actions did result in Cruz crashing into another law enforcement vehicle nearby the scene.
Cruz was subsequently taken into custody and is currently facing charges of obstructing/resisting a federal officer and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
The suspect had his initial hearing in the US District Court in San Juan on June 25th and is being processed as an inadmissible alien.
Ramey Sector Chief Patrol Agent Reggie Johnson issued a statement following Cruz’s arrest commending the swift actions by the agents involved in the incident, while also emphasizing the zero-tolerance the current administration harbors regarding individuals who’d attempt to harm agents acting in accordance with their duties.
“Thanks to the vigilance our agents and coordination with our federal partners, the defendant will now face justice under federal immigration law, reinforcing that violations of U.S. sovereignty will not go unchecked,” CPA Johnson stated, adding, “Assaults on any federal agent will not be tolerated. Those who choose to commit such acts will be held fully accountable under the law. Violence against law enforcement is an attack on the rule of law and public safety—and it will be met with swift and decisive justice.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski of the San Juan Field Office, whose office is assisting in the investigation and prosecution of Cruz, commented, “When someone chooses violence instead of compliance, they endanger lives - including their own. These agents exercised extraordinary restraint and professionalism in the face of a dangerous and deliberate threat. But let this serve as a warning: any assault against federal law enforcement will be investigated with every single resource the FBI has it its portfolio and we will not rest until justice is fully served.”
According to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a 20-year-old illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, identified as Bernis Díaz de la Cruz, was approached by Border Patrol agents on June 25th after observing “suspected illegal activity inside” the vehicle in which the suspect was seated in.
U.S.B.P. Chief Michael Banks clarified in a follow up statement posted to X that the agents detected “the smell of marijuana” from the vehicle Cruz was seated in, which happened to be “parked in an area notorious for illicit activity.”
As the agents approached and subsequently confronted Cruz, the suspect reportedly refused to follow commands delivered by the agents and instead “rapidly accelerated the vehicle toward one of the Border Patrol Agents who was standing in front of the vehicle,” according to the press release.
In response, the unnamed agent reportedly was able to avoid being struck by the vehicle.
However, authorities say the suspect’s actions did result in Cruz crashing into another law enforcement vehicle nearby the scene.
Cruz was subsequently taken into custody and is currently facing charges of obstructing/resisting a federal officer and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
The suspect had his initial hearing in the US District Court in San Juan on June 25th and is being processed as an inadmissible alien.
Ramey Sector Chief Patrol Agent Reggie Johnson issued a statement following Cruz’s arrest commending the swift actions by the agents involved in the incident, while also emphasizing the zero-tolerance the current administration harbors regarding individuals who’d attempt to harm agents acting in accordance with their duties.
“Thanks to the vigilance our agents and coordination with our federal partners, the defendant will now face justice under federal immigration law, reinforcing that violations of U.S. sovereignty will not go unchecked,” CPA Johnson stated, adding, “Assaults on any federal agent will not be tolerated. Those who choose to commit such acts will be held fully accountable under the law. Violence against law enforcement is an attack on the rule of law and public safety—and it will be met with swift and decisive justice.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski of the San Juan Field Office, whose office is assisting in the investigation and prosecution of Cruz, commented, “When someone chooses violence instead of compliance, they endanger lives - including their own. These agents exercised extraordinary restraint and professionalism in the face of a dangerous and deliberate threat. But let this serve as a warning: any assault against federal law enforcement will be investigated with every single resource the FBI has it its portfolio and we will not rest until justice is fully served.”
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