Ontario Surgery Center Staff Indicted for Interference with Federal immigration Officers
Two employees of an Ontario, California surgery center are facing federal charges following an incident where they allegedly interfered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempting to detain individuals. Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, of Highland, and Danielle Nadine davila, 33, of Corona, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer – a felony offense – according to a recent declaration from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. A trial is currently scheduled for October 6th.
This indictment follows initial charges filed against Ortega and Davila last month. The grand jury’s decision signifies that they have found probable cause to believe the defendants violated federal law, paving the way for the case to proceed to trial.
What Happened on July 8th?
The incident unfolded on July 8th, when ICE officers were conducting enforcement actions in Ontario.According to court documents, the officers were in pursuit of a truck carrying three men when the situation escalated in the parking lot of the surgery center. Two of the men fled on foot, with one - identified as an allegedly unauthorized immigrant from Honduras – being apprehended near the facility’s entrance.
A struggle ensued during the initial detention, resulting in both the officer and the individual falling to the ground. A surgery center staff member then intervened, assisting the individual and pulling him away from the officer, ultimately leading him inside the facility. The ICE agent pursued, eventually regaining control of the individual.
Confrontation and Alleged Interference
Video footage obtained by KTLA-TV Channel 5 shows a heated exchange between the ICE officers and surgery center staff. Staff members reportedly demanded the officers leave the property, citing a lack of a warrant. The officers were attempting to detain 30-year-old Denis Guillen-Solis and two other landscaping workers.
The video depicts Guillen-Solis requesting identification from the agents while holding onto a doorway.He was subsequently pulled from the doorway and detained.
The indictment alleges that davila actively interfered with the arrest by positioning herself between the officer and Guillen-Solis,repeatedly demanding his release and instructing the officers to leave. Ortega is accused of physically interfering by grabbing the officer’s arm and vest. A second ICE officer arriving at the scene reportedly witnessed staff members physically grabbing one of the officers. The alleged unauthorized immigrant was then detained and handcuffed.
Broader Context: Increased Prosecution of Interference
This case is part of a larger trend under U.S. Attorney Bill essayli, who has taken a firm stance on prosecuting individuals accused of interfering with ICE operations and protests. Essayli’s office has filed felony charges against at least 38 people related to incidents at immigration raids or protests.However, it’s vital to note that many of these cases have been dismissed or reduced to misdemeanor charges, as reported by the Los angeles Times.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming trial will determine the extent to which Ortega and Davila’s actions constituted unlawful interference with federal officers performing their duties. The case highlights the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of individuals to protest or intervene in such actions.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details becomes available.