Nicaragua National Who Unlawfully Attempted to Purchase Firearm Indicted for Assault of ICE Officer

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A citizen of Nicaragua illegally residing in the Mount Washington neighborhood of Pittsburgh has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of assaulting a federal officer, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez, 33, as the sole defendant. Davila-Perez was initially charged in a December 23, 2025, Criminal Complaint.

According to the Indictment and Criminal Complaint, on December 17, 2025, Davila-Perez assaulted an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer while being apprehended for being illegally present in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security previously had learned that Davila-Perez had attempted to purchase a firearm from a federal firearms licensee (FFL) in the Western District of Pennsylvania, claiming to be a United States citizen. The firearm sale was denied by the FFL as Davila-Perez is a citizen and national of Nicaragua with no legal status to be present in the United States. Federal law prohibits those without legal status from purchasing firearms.

When officers with ICE activated the emergency lights on their vehicle and attempted to detain him, Davila-Perez forcefully resisted, including backing his vehicle into a law enforcement vehicle with an officer still inside, fleeing his vehicle, elbowing an officer in the face, attempting to unholster an officer's service weapon, biting an officer's arm, and striking an officer in the forehead with a swinging handcuff. Throughout this incident, officers gave commands to Davila-Perez, such as to stop and to give up his hands, in both English and Spanish. Davila-Perez, however, actively resisted, ignored their commands, and remained noncompliant until he was secured and in handcuffs. The officers suffered contusions, abrasions, and a bite mark, requiring medical attention.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Davila-Perez has been in custody since his arrest and remains detained pending resolution of this criminal charge.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee A. Fry is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

Homeland Security Investigations/Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.