Arizona Woman Arrested for Punching Homeland Security Agent in the Face

NEWARK, N.J. – On June 8, 2026, an Arizona woman was charged with assault on a federal law enforcement officer for punching a federal agent in the face, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced. “As alleged, this defendant responded to lawful orders from federal officers by lashing out with violence and punching an officer in the face. Assaulting law enforcement officers is unacceptable. Period. Federal officers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to violence, intimidation, or obstruction. This Office will continue to prosecute those who, as alleged here, assault officers and interfere with the lawful execution of their duties.” - U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer “Violent acts committed during what should be peaceful protests will not be tolerated,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “Homeland Security Investigations remains resolute in ensuring that individuals who threaten or attack law enforcement face the full force of the law.” Mariano Anthony Perez, 31, of Pheonix, AZ, was charged by complaint with forcibly assaulting a federal officer involving physical contact and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in Newark federal court on June 8, 2026 on that charge. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On June 5, 2026, officers and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were engaged in official duties relating to security and crowd-control operations during a demonstration near the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark. As part of their duties, HSI special agents and officers, including Victim-1, an HSI special agent, were assigned to perimeter enforcement for Delaney Hall. The assignment required HSI personnel to clear demonstrators from the road leading to and from Delaney Hall for law enforcement vehicles to enter the facility. At approximately 6:30 p.m., several HSI special agents first saw Perez walking back and forth past the entrance to the facility. The special agents issued numerous commands to Perez to move back, but Perez did not respond. Minutes later, Victim-1 was standing by the facility entrance while several law enforcement vehicles were trying to enter the facility. Perez attempted to walk past Victim-1 toward the vehicles but was physically pulled back by Victim-1, who told Perez in sum and substance that Perez could not walk that way. Notwithstanding that directive, Perez pushed past Victim-1 and continued walking in that same direction. Victim-1 followed behind Perez and called for Perez to stop. Victim-1 then attempted to grab hold of Perez. At that point, Perez abruptly turned around and punched Victim-1 in the face with a closed fist. Victim-1 sustained injuries to his upper and lower lip from Perez’s punch. The assault was captured on video footage both from publicly accessible social media accounts and from pole cameras in the area. The charge of assaulting a federal officer resulting in physical contact carries a maximum potential penalty of 8 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.