Two staff members at a surgery center in San Bernardino County have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly assaulting and interfering with U.S. immigration officers during an attempt to detain an individual suspected of being in the country illegally.
Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, of Highland, and Danielle Nadine Davila, 33, of Corona are each charged with one felony count of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer. A trial date is set for October 6.
According to the indictment and related court documents, on July 8 two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting roving operations in Ontario. The officers were wearing law enforcement vests and driving an unmarked government vehicle when they followed a truck carrying three men into the parking lot of a local surgery center. After exiting the vehicle, two of the men fled on foot. One man—identified as an illegal alien from Honduras—was partially detained near the entrance before he resisted arrest and both he and an ICE officer fell to the ground.
A medical staff member then helped the man off the ground and pulled him away from the officer. The individual ran inside the surgery center pursued by one of the ICE officers.
The indictment alleges that Ortega and Davila impeded efforts to arrest the man. Davila is accused of positioning herself between the officer and the man while pushing the officer and shouting: “Let him go!” and “Get out!” Ortega allegedly grabbed both the officer’s arm and vest during this confrontation.
The situation escalated until additional ICE personnel arrived at which point multiple staff members were seen grabbing at least one officer. The officers eventually detained and handcuffed the individual before leaving with him.
“An indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted on these charges, Ortega and Davila could face up to eight years in federal prison.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading inquiries into this incident. Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson from Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.
