Nicaraguan National Indicted for Assaulting ICE Officer in Pittsburgh: A Case of Illegal Gun Purchase and Violent Resistance
A Nicaraguan national has been indicted by a federal grand jury for assaulting an ICE officer in Pittsburgh. The incident, which occurred in Pittsburgh's Mount Washington neighborhood, was captured on cell phone video and showed a struggle between federal agents and the man. Darwin Alexander Davila-Perez, 33, has been charged with assaulting a federal officer while being arrested for residing in the U.S. illegally, according to the Department of Justice.
The indictment states that Davila-Perez had attempted to purchase a gun by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, but the sale was denied as federal law prohibits individuals without legal status from buying firearms. When ICE officers tried to detain Davila-Perez, he resisted forcefully, backing his vehicle into an occupied law enforcement vehicle.
During the altercation, Davila-Perez allegedly elbowed an officer in the face, attempted to grab their weapon, bit an officer's arm, and struck an officer in the forehead with a handcuff. Despite commands to stop and show his hands in both English and Spanish, Davila-Perez continued to resist, leading to injuries to the officers who required medical attention.
If convicted, Davila-Perez could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000, as per the Department of Justice. The incident highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and the consequences of assaulting federal officers.