RICHLAND, Wash. – A Tri-Cities registered sex offender is facing federal charges after allegedly assaulting ICE agents.
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter, Victor Martin Lara-Lopez, 41, was charged with assaulting federal officers after a confrontation in Pasco.
Court documents say the incident happened June 13 when ICE deportation officers attempted to detain Lara-Lopez using an administrative warrant. Officers approached him while he was in his F-350 truck and instructed him to roll down the window. Lara-Lopez allegedly refused to cooperate, leading to a struggle.
He then reversed his truck, forcing officers to move out of the way to avoid being hit, according to the documents. Lara-Lopez allegedly drove onto a sidewalk, struck an agent’s vehicle, and fled the scene. One officer suffered bruises, while another reported shoulder pain.
After a month-long search, law enforcement located Lara-Lopez’s truck on Highway 12. He was arrested after initially refusing to exit the vehicle until a K-9 unit was mentioned, officials said.
“Every day, law enforcement officers in this district go to work to protect our community. Often, they must contact individuals with serious criminal histories who do not want to be apprehended and present a danger to our community. It is not uncommon for law enforcement to be assaulted in the course of doing the job, which is not lawful and should never be acceptable,” stated Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “My office will continue to hold those accountable who use violence in attempt to avoid arrest.”
The FBI investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Holland.
