A Brazilian national has pleaded guilty to biting an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer and spitting on another after he was taken into custody in Connecticut.
Luis Peterson Rohr Ferreira Borges, 25, pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer during a hearing in federal court in Hartford on Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Federal officials said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warrant to arrest Ferreira Borges in October 2023, charging him with being in the country in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The warrant came after he was arrested about a month earlier on state charges of assault on a public safety officer, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, authorities said.
Last June, ICE agents and Enforcement and Removal Operations officers apprehended Ferreira Borges on Zion Street in Hartford, officials said. Federal authorities said he resisted arrest and was not compliant.
As the vehicle was being driven toward a federal building on Main Street, authorities said Ferreira Borges began raising and moving his leg inches away from the officer who was driving. Officials also allege he threatened to kick the officer’s neck.
According to federal authorities, Ferreira Borges then started biting an officer who attempted to get him under control and spit on the driver.
He remains in custody as he awaits sentencing, which has been scheduled for April 16. Authorities said Ferreira Borges faces a maximum of a year in prison.