NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –JAIRO YOEL MONTOYA-AMADOR (“MONTOYA-AMADOR”), age 21, a Honduran national, was charged in a two-count indictment on May 22, 2026, for assaulting a federal officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1)(A), and damaging government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1361, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.According to the indictment, on May 14, 2026, as law enforcement officers attempted to pull over the vehicle he was driving and execute a box‑in maneuver, MONTOYA‑AMADOR tried to force his way out by ramming a pickup truck occupied by a United States Deportation Officer with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In doing so, he forcibly assaulted the officer, who was performing official duties. He also caused more than $1,000 in damage to a Department of Homeland Security vehicle.As a consequence, MONTOYA-AMADOR faces a maximum term of imprisonment of eight (8) years, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, as to Count One of the indictment.

He faces a maximum imprisonment of ten (10) years, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.00, as to Count Two of the indictment. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00 applies to both counts. U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Homeland Security Investigations in investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro Latsis of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution. * * *