Portland, OR. — The U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against Luis Nino-Moncada, who authorities say assaulted federal officers and damaged government property during an immigration enforcement operation in the Portland area.
According to federal officials, Nino-Moncada, who is alleged to be in the United States unlawfully and previously ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2024, is accused of repeatedly ramming a Border Patrol vehicle during a targeted operation. Prosecutors allege the actions placed Border Patrol agents at risk and caused significant damage to federal property.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the Justice Department would pursue the case aggressively, emphasizing that assaults on law enforcement officers would be met with criminal prosecution.
“Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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 has been charged with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property exceeding $1,000. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at 1:30 p.m. PST.
Court documents state that Border Patrol agents initiated the operation based on a vehicle believed to be connected to an individual suspected of involvement in a transnational criminal organization-linked prostitution ring. During the encounter, Nino-Moncada allegedly reversed his vehicle into an unoccupied Border Patrol vehicle multiple times before fleeing the scene with a passenger.
Federal investigators reported extensive damage to the Border Patrol vehicle, including destruction of the front bumper and headlights and damage to body panels. Authorities say Nino-Moncada later admitted to intentionally striking the vehicle in an attempt to escape and acknowledged knowing it belonged to immigration enforcement.
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