Venezuelan Man Sentenced to Prison for Attacking CBP Officer

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Carlos Cadena Duran, 26, a citizen of Venezuela, was sentenced by United States District Judge Robert J. Jonker to 9 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, and impeding federal officers in the performance of their official duties.

On November 26, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers transported Cadena Duran from Detroit to the Calhoun County Jail. Although restrained, Cadena Duran managed to unbuckle his seatbelt and began banging his head, legs, and torso on the barrier between the front and back seats of the vehicle. As the officers attempted to secure Cadena Duran to prevent him from hurting himself, he threatened the officers. Cadena Duran kicked and attempted to headbutt one of the officers, then grabbed and pulled the officer's belt buckle.

Cadena Duran first entered the United States by crossing the Texas border illegally in 2023. He was taken into DHS custody on November 21, 2025, when he was encountered by CBP officers while reentering the United States on the Ambassador Bridge. Upon completion of his sentence, he will be brought before an immigration court for removal proceedings.

U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said, "This case provides another example of the danger our immigration officers must face every single day. My office will support their work by bringing assault charges whenever this danger escalates into violence against them."

"CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility remains committed to supporting and protecting the law enforcement professionals who carry out CBP's mission every day, often under challenging and unpredictable circumstances," said Special Agent in Charge Robinson Colombini, CBP Office of Professional Responsibility. "Assaults on federal officers will not be tolerated, and OPR will continue to work closely with our federal partners to ensure these incidents are thoroughly investigated and appropriately addressed. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan and our partners for their continued commitment to pursuing accountability in cases involving violence against our law enforcement personnel."

CBP Office of Professional Responsibility - Detroit investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Daniels prosecuted it.