Former Nicaraguan tactical instructor sentenced to federal prison after violent assault on HSI special agent during attempted arrest in New York

Albany, New York – A Nicaraguan national who authorities say violently attacked a federal law enforcement officer during an attempted immigration arrest has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison, bringing to a close a case that drew significant attention from federal officials in New York.

Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas appeared before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino in Albany on June 17, where he received a sentence of 51 months in federal prison. The sentence followed his guilty plea earlier this year to a charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer.

Federal prosecutors said the conviction stems from a confrontation that unfolded in March 2025 after local police in Rotterdam, New York, detained Garcia Rojas on misdemeanor allegations, including petit larceny. According to authorities, federal immigration agents sought to take Garcia Rojas and his partner into custody after their release from local law enforcement as part of immigration enforcement proceedings.

What followed, officials said, quickly escalated into a dangerous struggle.

Investigators stated that Garcia Rojas, despite being handcuffed, resisted federal agents and attempted to flee. During efforts to regain control of the situation, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent attempted to rearrest him. Prosecutors described the encounter as a violent physical confrontation that took place inside a building vestibule.

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According to court records, Garcia Rojas repeatedly forced the agent into an exterior door while trying to evade arrest. Authorities said the struggle created a barrier that prevented police officers located inside the building from immediately assisting the federal agent.

The confrontation resulted in multiple injuries to the HSI special agent.

Federal officials noted that audio and video surveillance captured the incident. During the encounter, the special agent can reportedly be heard repeatedly instructing Garcia Rojas to stop resisting while attempting to de-escalate the situation. Despite those commands, authorities said the struggle continued until multiple law enforcement officers intervened.

The altercation eventually ended only after several officers worked together to restrain Garcia Rojas, with tasers being used before he was finally taken into custody.

Federal authorities highlighted Garcia Rojas’ background during their discussion of the case. According to officials, he had previously received training in defensive tactics, a factor investigators believe contributed to the intensity of the confrontation.

Following the sentencing, federal officials issued statements emphasizing both the seriousness of the assault and the broader challenges faced by law enforcement officers carrying out immigration-related duties.

“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 Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone pointed to the dangers officers increasingly encounter while performing their duties.

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“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.”

Federal immigration officials also used the sentencing to reaffirm their commitment to carrying out enforcement actions despite criticism directed at the agency.

“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.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Clark leading the prosecution on behalf of the federal government.

The sentencing marks the latest example of federal prosecutors pursuing charges involving assaults against law enforcement officers during enforcement operations. Officials said attacks on federal agents will continue to be treated as serious offenses and prosecuted accordingly.

With the prison sentence now imposed, Garcia Rojas will serve just over four years in federal custody for the assault conviction before any further immigration proceedings that may follow his incarceration.