Immigration Detainer Filed for Man Accused of Attacking Virginia Officer
Federal immigration authorities have placed a detainer on a Honduran national who is accused of attempting to take a firearm from a Fairfax County police officer in Northern Virginia. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested that local officials hold Nehemia Noel Fuentes-Banegas, preventing his release after the alleged incident on Tuesday.
Encounter in Annandale
The situation began when officers responded to a call about a man, identified as Fuentes-Banegas, who had reportedly left a residence in Annandale following an argument. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the man was believed to be armed with two knives and had allegedly stabbed himself before fleeing into a nearby wooded area.
As law enforcement officers searched the wooded vicinity, Fuentes-Banegas allegedly emerged from the brush. During the confrontation, he is accused of grabbing an officer’s service weapon in an attempt to disarm the officer. DHS stated that in response, one officer discharged his service weapon, while another officer simultaneously deployed a Taser. The bullet reportedly grazed Fuentes-Banegas’ shoulder.
Following the incident, Fuentes-Banegas was apprehended and subsequently charged with attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer. The ICE detainer signifies a request for Fairfax County to notify federal immigration authorities prior to releasing him from custody.
Immigration Status and Background
DHS reports that Fuentes-Banegas entered the United States unlawfully in 2022 via Texas and was later released into the country under the current administration’s policies. Assistant Secretary for ICE, Tricia McLaughlin, commented on the case, stating, “This criminal illegal alien from Honduras attacked a law enforcement officer and attempted to take the officer’s gun. He has now been charged with attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer.”
McLaughlin also directed criticism towards Virginia’s state leadership, urging Governor Abigail Spanberger and other state officials to ensure the individual is not released from jail. “ICE is calling on Governor Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this dangerous criminal from jail,” McLaughlin added.
Concerns Over State Policies
The department has voiced concerns that Virginia’s policies, which they describe as “sanctuary policies,” may hinder cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and potentially make the state more attractive to individuals residing in the country illegally. DHS asserted that these policies have contributed to an increase in crime involving undocumented immigrants in the commonwealth.
DHS specifically referenced executive orders signed by Governor Spanberger at the beginning of her term, which ended agreements that allowed for greater state cooperation with ICE under the previous administration and limited state collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
“Under Governor Spanberger, Virginia has become a hotbed of illegal alien crime,” a statement from DHS declared.
Broader Context and Other Cases
The department also drew attention to a separate, recent case involving Raul Genesis Ortiz Moran, a Mexican national facing charges of second-degree murder and aggravated sexual battery. These charges are connected to the death of a 2-year-old girl in Louisa County. DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis previously stated, “This horrific tragedy was completely avoidable because this illegal alien should have never been in our country. Governor Spanberger’s sanctuary policies have made Virginia a hotbed for illegal alien crime.”
These statements highlight a broader debate regarding immigration enforcement, state-level cooperation with federal agencies, and the perceived impact of certain state policies on public safety and crime rates involving individuals who are not legally present in the United States.
The office of Governor Spanberger has been contacted for comment regarding these assertions and the broader immigration policies in the state.
