An alarming photo released by the federal government on Monday reveals the severe bite mark inflicted on an ICE officer by an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang during an immigration raid.
Federal prosecutors allege that Robert Antonio Bastardo Llovera, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant, bit the officer’s forearm on July 15 during an operation near San Diego’s Mission Bay waterfront.
Bastardo, 32, is identified by federal authorities as a member of the Tren de Aragua gang and was wanted on an immigration charge.
Authorities reported that Bastardo was part of a group targeted in an immigration raid in the coastal area, where he violently resisted arrest.
Prosecutors described a five-minute struggle during his arrest for immigration violations, which ended with Bastardo biting an officer.
He faces charges of assault on a federal officer, a crime that can lead to up to 20 years in prison.
“Our office will continue to prioritize the protection of federal officers engaged in their lawful duties,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated.
Bastardo, living in the U.S. without legal status, was ordered for removal by an Immigration Judge on June 10 after missing a court appearance, according to prosecutors.
ICE apprehended Bastardo and others from campers parked in a beachside area, as captured by witnesses who filmed the raid.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Bastardo turned aggressive as officers attempted to take him into custody, biting one officer’s arm and kicking another in the chest before being subdued.
The photo of the injury, circulated by federal prosecutors on Monday, shows the pronounced bruise and teeth marks left by Bastardo.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Bastardo was arrested along with four other illegal immigrants, confirming him as a member of the violent Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
Court documents reveal that Bastardo was previously detained in Texas for choking the mother of his child.
He bears tattoos linked to Tren de Aragua and has been photographed displaying the gang’s hand sign, according to the documents.
Bastardo admitted guilt to the federal charge on March 3 and was sentenced to time served, following eight months and two days in detention.
“Let it be clear: physical assaults on federal officers will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the Department of Homeland Security emphasized in their statement.
Federal authorities have not clarified if Bastardo remains in custody or faces deportation.
The Tren de Aragua gang, originating in a Venezuelan prison, is accused by federal law enforcement of fueling a crime surge across the U.S., involving murders, kidnappings, and drug trafficking.
Last week, federal authorities in Los Angeles arrested an alleged Tren de Aragua leader, known as ‘El Turko,’ on charges of murder and kidnapping for crimes allegedly committed in Chile.
Rafael Enrique Gamez Salas, 40, is set to be extradited to Chile to face prosecution on seven criminal charges, as reported by the Department of Justice.
Salas has prior convictions in the U.S. for human smuggling and re-entry after deportation.
