A federal grand jury has indicted Cristian Geovanni Rojas Benitez, a 37-year-old Mexican national, for allegedly using a vehicle to assault and impede a federal agent. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
According to the indictment, on June 23, 2025, Rojas Benitez used his pickup truck in an incident involving a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) while the agent was performing official duties. Federal officers were attempting to take Rojas Benitez into administrative custody after he violated the terms of his release pending removal proceedings.
Federal officers had surveilled a residence in Downingtown, Pennsylvania based on information about Rojas Benitez’s whereabouts. At around 8:30 a.m., an individual matching his description exited the home and entered a pickup truck. Officers then conducted a vehicle stop.
Court filings allege that Rojas Benitez did not comply with commands to exit the vehicle or lower his window. An HSI agent moved in front of the truck to keep sight of the driver. After several warnings and continued noncompliance, one officer broke the rear driver’s side window.
It is alleged that Rojas Benitez then put the vehicle in drive and drove over the sidewalk toward the HSI agent, who had to push off from the truck and jump aside to avoid being struck. The indictment also states that he narrowly missed hitting a passing school bus before fleeing Pennsylvania. He was later located by U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., on July 24.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as those from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The investigation involved HSI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court,” according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
