13/03/2026
A Venezuelan national is facing federal charges after authorities say he assaulted a federal agent and briefly grabbed the agent’s firearm while resisting arrest in Michigan.
According to public statements from federal prosecutors, the suspect, Arnoldo Jose Marquez-Pulido, allegedly fled during an attempted traffic stop before returning to a business location in Utica, Michigan, where he tried to escape on foot. Investigators say an agent tackled him as he attempted to run into the building.
Officials allege that during the struggle, Marquez-Pulido struck the agent in the face with his elbow and then reached for the agent’s service weapon, briefly removing a G***k 19 pistol from the holster before losing control of it. Additional officers arrived and secured the weapon, according to authorities. Two agents suffered minor injuries and were treated at a hospital.
Prosecutors say the suspect had previously entered the United States at the southern border in 2024 and did not have legal authorization to remain in the country at the time of the incident. The case is currently moving through federal court, and officials say the government is seeking to keep the defendant in custody while proceedings continue.
Commenting on the case, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said that assaults on law enforcement officers pose serious risks to public safety and emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws. Authorities also noted that a criminal complaint is only a charge and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The incident has renewed debate about immigration enforcement and public safety, with critics calling for stricter enforcement measures while others emphasize due process and the presumption of innocence as the case moves forward.