Man Previously Indicted for Sexual Exploitation of Albemarle Teen Arrested for Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officer

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Charlottesville-based man who was indicted in December 2025 on two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, was charged recently with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.

Gustavo Quintero, 25, made his initial appearance today in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of assault on a federal law enforcement officer.

"Let this be clear: this office will seek swift, clear, and certain accountability against anyone who makes the mistake of committing assault and battery on a federal law enforcement officer in the Western District," Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.

According to the complaint, on January 15, 2026, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), along with officers from the Albemarle County Police Department, traveled to the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail to execute a federal arrest warrant on Quintero.

Agents identified themselves and informed Quintero of the reason for their visit, explaining they were going to take him to the federal magistrate for his initial court appearance.

After being placed in handcuffs, belly chain, and leg shackles, Quintero looked at one of the officers and threatened him, stating, "I'm going to spit on you."

Following the threat, agents retrieved a spit hood, a piece of equipment routinely used by law enforcement to prevent prisoners from spitting on others. Quintero responded, "You ain't gonna put that sh*t on me." When agents reiterated that a spit hood was going to be placed on his head, Quintero stated, "I'm gonna act up."

Quintero became increasingly combative and continued to advise officers he did not want the spit hood on his head.

As one of the officers reached toward Quintero to place the hood on his head, Quintero spit directly at a nearby agent's face, hitting the right side of his face.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Albemarle County Police Department.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.