Illegal Alien - Former Nicaraguan Tactical Instructor Sentenced for Assault of HSI Special Agent

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Nicaraguan National Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas was sentenced Wednesday June 17^th in Albany by The Honorable Mae A. D'Agostino to 51 months in federal prison. Garcia Rojas pled guilty on February 9, 2026 to a single count indictment charging assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 111(a)(1) and (b).

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Buffalo Acting Field Office Director Philip Rhoney made the announcement in Albany today.

On March 5^th, 2025, Garcias Rojas was detained charged by the Rotterdam Police Department for misdemeanor charges including petit larceny. Pursuant to the Laken Riley Act, Federal Agents attempted to detain the defendant and his partner upon their release from Rotterdam Police custody, for detention and immigration removal proceedings pursuant to their lack of lawful authority to be in the United States.

While handcuffed, the defendant resisted lawful arrest and fled the special agents. During the course of the encounter an HSI Special Agent attempted to rearrest the defendant during what proved to be a violent fight, at one point repeatedly throwing the agent into an exterior door inside a vestibule, which prevented police officers inside the building from coming to the agent's aid. The defendant's assault on the agent caused a variety of injuries to the Agent. Throughout the altercation captured on audio and video surveillance, the Special Agent can repeatedly be heard calmly telling the defendant to "stop resisting," while the defendant screams in rage. Ultimately, through the force of several law enforcement agents and the use of tasers the defendant was subdued and arrested.

The violent assault of a federal agent by a criminal alien, is the unfortunate result of the prior administrations failed immigration policies" said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. "Thanks to the Laken Riley act, violent aliens such as this defendant can be detained and removed from our country. Let Mr. Garcias Rojas be an example to anyone who interferes with and/or assaults members of law enforcement - conducting lawful enforcement actions, this administration will leverage the resources of the federal government to enact justice and protect the American people."

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone: "This defendant, trained in defensive tactics, ran from federal agents, fought them and continued to resist in attempt to flee and attack law enforcement. Across the nation and here in New York, law enforcement personnel - enforcing the laws as they exist - are operating in an increasingly complex and dangerous threat environment. Despite the growing threats, HSI remains resolute in our mission to protect our communities and uphold the law. We stand united with our law enforcement partners and the communities we serve and will ensure that any attack on law enforcement is vigorously investigated and prosecuted."

The assault on our HSI colleague while in the course of their official duties comes at a time when open border activists routinely demonize ICE for enforcing the laws passed by Congress, and blatantly false anti-ICE rhetoric from irresponsible politicians is at an all-time high, ," said ERO Buffalo Acting Field Officer Director Philip Rhoney. "Criminals and agitators will not stop us from carrying out our mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety and border security. I remain grateful to our officers and our federal partners for their work to keep violent illegal aliens off the streets in our state and our country."

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Clark prosecuted the case.