The Department of Justice announced criminal charges today against a known associate of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang accused of violently ramming a federal law enforcement vehicle during a targeted operation.
Luis Nino-Moncada, identified by authorities as an illegal alien residing in the Portland area, faces charges of aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly weapon and depredation of federal property.
According to the criminal complaint, the chaos unfolded while Border Patrol agents were executing an enforcement operation on a vehicle linked to a female suspect allegedly involved in a TdA prostitution ring.
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Authorities noted the female passenger had previously been arrested in El Paso and was wanted for failing to report to immigration officials.
When agents commanded Nino-Moncada to exit the car, investigators say he refused to comply. Instead, he allegedly threw the vehicle into reverse, intentionally colliding with an unoccupied Border Patrol unit. The complaint states he struck the federal vehicle multiple times with enough force to tear off the front bumper and destroy both headlights before fleeing the scene.
Nino-Moncada, who was ordered removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge in 2024, later admitted in an interview that he intentionally rammed the agents in a desperate bid to escape.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a stern warning following the charges.
“Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department,” Bondi said. “This man — an illegal alien with ties to a foreign terrorist organization — should NEVER have been in our country to begin with, and we will ensure he NEVER walks free in America again.”
Nino-Moncada is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at 1:30 PM PST today.
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