A woman from Houston has been charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer with a machete, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Jennifer Jesselle Perez-Rodriguez, aged 28, is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo.
The charges stem from an incident on April 17, as detailed in the now unsealed criminal complaint. Federal agents patrolling on Anderson Road in Houston in unmarked vehicles allegedly encountered Perez-Rodriguez, who reportedly entered the roadway wielding a machete. She is accused of swinging the weapon and approaching two of the vehicles.
One vehicle reportedly activated a siren as Perez-Rodriguez allegedly ran towards them with the machete. An FBI agent is said to have opened his vehicle door and verbally instructed Perez-Rodriguez to drop the weapon, but she allegedly did not comply.
According to the complaint, the agent discharged his weapon at Perez-Rodriguez until she no longer posed a threat. She was struck by gunfire and transported to a hospital for medical attention.
Perez-Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential maximum fine of $250,000 if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with the Houston Police Department's assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black.
It's important to note that a criminal complaint represents a formal accusation of criminal conduct and is not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.