A Cuban national has now been federally charged by indictment with two counts of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault on a federal officer, following an incident in St. Paul in December.
The charges were announced this week by U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, who said in a press release that on the morning of Dec. 21, 2025, ICE deportation officers attempted to arrest Juan Carlos Rodriguez Romero, who is a citizen of Cuba and subject to removal.
Uniformed ICE agents initiated a traffic stop of Rodriguez, who refused to obey commands and attempted to flee in his car. While fleeing, Rodriguez accelerated his car towards ICE officers, who were on foot. Rodriguez then sped away, but soon hit two parked cars and lost control of his vehicle. When ICE officers attempted to apprehend Rodriguez Romero a second time, Rodriguez Romero again accelerated his car towards officers, one of whom fired his weapon towards Rodriguez Romero.
Rodriguez Romero struck one officer while trying to flee during the second attempt. When ICE officers apprehended Rodriguez Romero, he bit one of the officers, drawing blood. Two ICE officers were transported to the hospital, suffering from bruised ribs, a dislocated finger, and a bite wound.
Rodriguez Romero will be detained pending a detention hearing. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the charge of assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
– – –
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
