Charlotte, North Carolina, December 14, 2025
An individual residing illegally in the U.S. has been charged with federal assault after allegedly biting an ICE officer during an arrest in Charlotte. The incident highlights the risks law enforcement faces in immigration enforcement operations. The charges relate to violations of federal statute, which can result in significant penalties depending on the circumstances of the assault. ICE can conduct arrests using administrative warrants, underscoring the complexities involved in immigration law.
Individual Illegally in U.S. Faces Federal Assault Charges After Biting ICE Officer During Charlotte Arrest
Charlotte, North Carolina – A man reportedly residing in the U.S. illegally is facing federal assault charges after allegedly biting an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a recent arrest in Charlotte. The incident occurred as federal agents were conducting an enforcement action.
The individual was taken into custody by ICE, and authorities have since confirmed that charges are being pursued in connection with the assault on the federal officer. This incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement personnel during their duties.
Federal Charges for Assaulting an Officer
The charges stem from an alleged violation of 18 U.S. Code § 111, a federal statute that prohibits forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers while they are performing their official duties. This law is in place to protect government officials and the functions they perform nationwide.
Depending on the specific circumstances and the severity of the alleged assault, this federal offense can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony. A simple assault of a federal officer is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which can lead to a prison sentence of up to one year and fines of up to $100,000. Physical contact or injury is not always required for a conviction under simple assault, where interference or intimidation can suffice.
However, if physical contact occurs, as in this case with the biting, the charges can become more severe. Serious assault without a deadly weapon is considered a felony, potentially punishable by up to eight years in prison and fines reaching $250,000. The most severe category, serious assault involving a deadly weapon or causing serious bodily injury, is a Class C felony, which can carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. The intent to commit another felony during the assault can also elevate the charge to a serious assault.
Immigration Enforcement and Arrest Procedures
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is primarily responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the nation’s interior, a Nationwide scope. This includes identifying, apprehending, detaining, and removing noncitizens who have violated immigration laws. ICE officers, like other law enforcement personnel, have the authority to initiate consensual encounters, briefly detain individuals when there is reasonable suspicion of illegal presence in the United States, and make arrests of those believed to be in the country illegally.
A key aspect of ICE operations is that their officers and agents do not always require judicial warrants to make arrests for immigration violations. Instead, they can utilize administrative warrants, which are distinct from the judicial warrants issued in criminal cases. These administrative warrants are issued by authorized immigration officials based on probable cause that an individual is subject to removal. All individuals who violate U.S. immigration law are subject to arrest and detention, irrespective of their criminal histories.
When local authorities arrest someone, their fingerprints are often checked against national security and immigration databases. If potential matches with immigration databases indicate violations or prior removal orders, ICE may issue a detainer request. This asks local law enforcement to hold the noncitizen for up to an additional 48 hours for immigration purposes, allowing ICE to take custody and begin removal processing if the individual is found to be in the country without authorization or has a prior removal order.
Individuals arrested by ICE are typically placed into removal proceedings in immigration court, unless there is an existing removal order that can be executed. While awaiting court proceedings, noncitizens may be held in immigration detention or placed into non-detained tracking programs.
The incident in Charlotte highlights the complex nature of immigration enforcement and the potential legal ramifications for individuals who physically resist federal officers nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened in Charlotte recently?
A man reportedly residing in the U.S. illegally is facing federal assault charges after allegedly biting an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a recent arrest in Charlotte.
What federal charges is the individual facing?
The individual is facing federal assault charges under 18 U.S. Code § 111 for forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a federal officer while they were performing official duties.
What are the potential penalties for assaulting a federal officer?
A simple assault of a federal officer is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to one year in prison and fines up to $100,000. Serious assault without a deadly weapon is a felony, carrying up to eight years in prison and fines up to $250,000. The most severe cases, involving a deadly weapon or serious bodily injury, can result in up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,004, 7]. These penalties apply nationwide.
Does ICE need a judicial warrant to make arrests?
No, ICE officers and agents do not need judicial warrants to make arrests for immigration violations. They can use administrative warrants, which are issued by authorized immigration officials based on probable cause that an individual is subject to removal. This is applicable nationwide.
What happens to individuals arrested by ICE who are in the U.S. illegally?
Individuals arrested by ICE are typically placed into removal proceedings in immigration court, unless an existing removal order can be executed. They may be held in immigration detention or placed into non-detained tracking programs while awaiting court proceedings. All individuals who violate U.S. immigration law are subject to arrest and detention, regardless of their criminal histories. This applies nationwide.
Key Features of the Incident and Enforcement
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Incident Type | Assault on a Federal Officer (ICE) | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Alleged Offense | Biting an ICE officer during arrest | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Accused’s Status | Reported to be in U.S. illegally | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Primary Federal Statute | 18 U.S. Code § 111 (Assault or Resist a Federal Officer) | Nationwide |
| Potential Penalties for Assault (Nationwide) | Up to 1 year prison/ $100k fine (simple assault); Up to 8 years prison/ $250k fine (serious assault without deadly weapon); Up to 20 years prison/ $250k fine (serious assault with deadly weapon or serious bodily injury) | Nationwide |
| Enforcing Agency | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) | Nationwide |
| ICE Warrant Type for Immigration Arrests | Administrative Warrant (not judicial) | Nationwide |
| Post-Arrest Process for Noncitizens | Placement into removal proceedings; potential detention or tracking programs | Nationwide |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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