Rolando Nava Pacheco, a 19-year-old Mexican national, was charged in federal court in San Diego with assaulting a federal officer and destruction of government property. The charges stem from an incident on August 11, 2025, when agents from the Homeland Security Task Force were conducting a joint operation related to suspected immigration violations.
According to the complaint, federal agents stopped a white truck during their operation. The agents, who wore visible law enforcement identifiers, announced themselves and asked the driver for identification. The driver then attempted to flee by accelerating the vehicle, striking both a federal agent and a government vehicle. A federal agent tried to block the truck’s path with another government vehicle, but the driver collided head-on with it before being arrested. The driver was identified as Rolando Nava Pacheco.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated: “Our office is committed to protecting our federal law enforcement partners. Put plainly, those who attempt to injure or evade law enforcement will face federal charges.”
ERO San Diego Field Office Director Patrick Divver commented: “This operation demonstrates the commitment of ERO officers to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety. Despite the challenges encountered, our officers remain dedicated to carrying out their duties with professionalism.”
Pacheco faces multiple charges including assault on a federal officer under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 111(a)(1), which carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine; assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 111(b), which carries up to twenty years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine; and destruction of government property under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1361 (Felony), which has a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
