LAKE CHARLES – On July 30, 2026, United States District James D. Cain, Jr., sentenced Victor Hugo Rocha-Romero, 36, of Mexico, residing in Lake Charles, to over a year in federal prison after his July 2026 guilty plea to Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers or Employees. According to court documents, Rocha-Romero had previously been issued a final Order of Removal from the United States. On June 30, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents located him in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to execute the order so that Rocha-Romero could be deported. Agents identified Rocha-Romero at a gas station, where he initially cooperated. As agents attempted to place him in restraints, Rocha- Romero attempted to flee to avoid deportation. In the course of this escape attempt, he made physical contact with an agent, causing abrasions and damage to the agent’s clothing. Rocha-Romero was immediately restrained and later admitted to resisting, impeding, and interfering with the agents. U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Cassidy and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers Namie with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), 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 agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at https://www.justice.gov/psn.You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 2:25 CR 00190 01. ###CONTACT: Public AffairsUSALAW-News@usdoj.govUnited States Attorney’s Officewww.justice.gov/usao-wdlaWestern District of LouisianaTwitter @USAO_WDLA
Source: U.S. Department of Justice