A federal grand jury indicted Kendry Jose Cubian-Perez, a Venezuelan national, for allegedly assaulting a federal officer during an apprehension in Powell, Ohio, according to a May 19 announcement by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
The case highlights law enforcement efforts to address violence against officers and underscores the legal consequences for those accused of such acts.
According to charging documents, law enforcement officials were conducting surveillance on May 8 at a residence in Powell as part of an operation targeting a known criminal alien. Cubian-Perez reportedly exited the residence and entered a vehicle registered to the target. When officers activated emergency lights in an attempt to apprehend him, Cubian-Perez allegedly tried to flee and encountered an Enforcement and Removal Operations officer. He is accused of punching the officer in the face, causing injury when the officer’s tooth punctured his bottom lip. Authorities say he continued punching as officers attempted to subdue him before he was arrested.
“We will not tolerate assaults against law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “As today’s indictment shows, those who threaten the safety of our federal law enforcement partners will be prosecuted.”
Cubian-Perez was initially charged by criminal complaint on May 8 before being indicted by a grand jury on one count of assaulting a federal officer inflicting bodily injury—a charge that carries up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations Detroit; and Kevin Raycroft, Acting Field Office Director at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Pakiz is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide initiative focused on addressing illegal immigration and violent crime involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Officials emphasized that an indictment contains only allegations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
