A Venezuelan national, Edward Antonio Reyes Calderon, has been charged in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island with assaulting federal officers during his arrest on an immigration warrant. Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the charges.
The incident occurred on February 13, 2025, when Reyes Calderon allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted three Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Deportation Officers outside the Rhode Island District Court in Providence. At that time, he had just been released on bail following a state court appearance for a domestic violence charge.
According to charging documents, the officers were clearly identified by their ICE/Police body armor and a law enforcement vehicle with flashing emergency lights. They attempted to take Reyes Calderon into custody at the courthouse's sally port. The officers reportedly announced themselves as "police" and instructed him to turn around. When they grabbed his arms, Reyes Calderon allegedly resisted by flexing and pulling away from them.
As stated in the documents, he became aggressive while resisting arrest violently as the officers struggled to apply handcuffs. He is accused of pushing and pulling at the officers and grabbing one officer's utility belt close to their firearm. Pepper spray was deployed by an officer to gain control over Reyes Calderon after several minutes of struggle.
Two of the Deportation Officers sustained minor injuries requiring medical evaluation.
Reyes Calderon remains in ICE custody awaiting an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on charges of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, and impeding a law enforcement officer during official duties. It is important to note that a federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
In addition to this charge, Reyes Calderon faces pending charges for domestic violence in Rhode Island and grand larceny in New York State.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter I. Roklan and Taylor A. Dean.