A Sacramento man has been charged with damaging government property following an incident involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a local Home Depot, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
Court documents state that on July 17, 2025, CBP agents were conducting an operation at the store when Jose Manuel Castillo Jr., 31, allegedly ignored repeated commands to move away from law enforcement and shouted obscenities as agents transferred arrested individuals to a van for immigration custody.
Agents observed Castillo approaching the rear passenger side of a CBP SUV. Shortly after, those near the driver’s side reported hearing a pop and loud hissing noise. Castillo was then seen leaving the area, and agents discovered that the vehicle’s rear passenger tire had been punctured and was flat.
Law enforcement ordered Castillo to stop, but he ran away. After a brief chase, he was apprehended. A search revealed a folding pocketknife in his pants pocket; authorities say its blade matched the width of the hole in the tire.
Castillo is not currently in custody and is scheduled for an initial court hearing at a later date.
“This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” according to the announcement.
If convicted, Castillo could face up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court based on statutory factors and federal guidelines. The charges are allegations; Castillo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
