ICE Los Angeles arrests 2 individuals for interfering in law enforcement operations

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents arrested two males May 13 for criminal conspiracy offenses related to impeding an officer.

Gustavo Torres, 28, and Kiara Jaime-Flores, 34, both from Los Angeles, were arrested for conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer.

The arrests stem from an incident that occurred Feb. 28 that involved ICE Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol agents who were serving four criminal search and arrest warrants to a known transnational criminal organization allegedly involved with international human smuggling. As the agents were departing the area in identifiable government vehicles, Torres and Jaime-Flores were observed following the agents, then allegedly using their vehicle to cut off the agents by conducting blocking maneuvers, then speeding up, pulling in front of the government vehicles, and stopping abruptly in what was thought to be an attempt to cause a collision.

“Impeding law enforcement activity is not only dangerous, it’s illegal,” said acting ICE HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge John Pasciucco. “HSI is committed to carrying out their law enforcement duties in a professional manner without being incumbered by those looking to impede lawful enforcement actions.”

This is an ongoing ICE investigation.

If convicted, Torres and Flores would face a statutory maximum sentence of six years in federal prison.

Indictments contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Anyone with information on attempts to unlawfully disrupt U.S. law enforcement is encouraged to call the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to protect the U.S. economy in your community on X at @HSILosAngeles.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)