COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal grand jury has indicted a Venezuelan man on a charge of assaulting a federal officer after he allegedly punched an immigration enforcement officer in the face during an arrest in Powell earlier this month.
Kendry Jose Cubian-Perez, 40, was initially charged by criminal complaint on May 8 following the incident. The grand jury returned a one-count indictment against him this week.
According to charging documents, officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations unit were conducting surveillance at a Powell residence on May 8, attempting to apprehend a separate individual described as a known criminal alien. Cubian-Perez allegedly exited the residence and got into a vehicle registered to the target of the operation.
When an officer activated emergency vehicle lights, Cubian-Perez allegedly attempted to flee. He then encountered an ERO officer and punched him in the face, causing the officer’s tooth to puncture through his lower lip. Cubian-Perez allegedly continued striking the officer as agents worked to take him into custody. He was subsequently arrested.
Assault of a federal officer inflicting bodily injury carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.