Mexican National Sentenced to 12 Months and 1 Day in Prison for Forcibly Assaulting a Federal Officer During an Immigration Enforcement Action

HAMMOND – Rosario Carrillo Lopez, 54 years old, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Carrillo Lopez was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $3,809.33 in restitution for damage he caused to a government vehicle. Because he has no legal status in the United States, Carrillo Lopez will be subject to a separate and immediate removal process upon his release from prison. “An illegal alien will serve a year in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. He will then be subject to an independent, immediate removal process upon his release from prison. He was also ordered to pay $3,809.33 in restitution for damage he caused to a government vehicle . To be clear, there is zero tolerance for those who forcibly assault or impede federal law enforcement. Carrillo Lopez is a Mexico national who chose to enter the United States illegally. When ICE caught up with him and attempted to make an arrest, Carrillo Lopez stepped on the gas pedal and dangerously fled through a residential area. Through his reckless actions, Carrillo Lopez jeopardized the safety of law enforcement officers who are sworn to uphold our laws and protect the public. He also endangered the lives and safety of innocent bystanders who were simply going about their day—drivers, pedestrians, and schoolchildren—all so he could evade arrest. And later, he doubled down and put his own family in harm’s way, allowing them to physically confront agents while he bolted out the back door to escape a federal arrest warrant. Carrillo Lopez should consider himself lucky that a tragedy was avoided due to the disciplined and measured response by federal law enforcement agents. The Defendant chose to violate our nation’s laws, borders, and sovereignty, and then committed additional high risk felonies to evade capture with no care for the harm that might result. Thanks to the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Marshals Service and Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa, the Defendant has been held accountable for his deliberate, selfish choices,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred. “Violence against federal law enforcement is a serious crime that places agents and the public at risk,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI Special Agents and Task Force Officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities from violent crime. HSI is grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to ensuring accountability in this case.” “The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its partnership with Homeland Security Investigations to remove dangerous criminals and undocumented offenders from our streets,” said United States Marshal Todd L. Nukes. “Through coordinated efforts, this subject was safely subdued and will not pose any future risk to our communities. We will continue these efforts for the safety and security of all residents.” According to documents in the case, on October 13, 2025, deportation officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) stopped Carrillo Lopez’s vehicle to conduct an immigration enforcement action. Upon learning the officers were with ICE, Carrillo Lopez sped away and led them on a high-speed chase through the streets of Gary, in the middle of rush hour on a Monday morning. As he fled, Carrillo Lopez drove over a curb, along a sidewalk, and through a cardboard sign. He also used his vehicle to strike one of the officer’s vehicles, causing damage to the front passenger’s side bumper and wheel well. Based on this criminal conduct, federal agents obtained a warrant for Carrillo Lopez’s arrest. Ten days later, on October 23, 2025, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshals Service went to Defendant’s house to arrest him. After their attempts to coax Carrillo Lopez out of the house failed, agents made the decision to breach the front door. Once inside the house, the agents faced physical resistance from Carrillo Lopez’s family, while Carrillo Lopez ran out the back door and jumped onto the roof. The agents eventually located Carrillo Lopez and took him into custody. Carrillo Lopez spoke to agents following his arrest, after being advised of his Miranda rights. Explaining his decision to flee, Carrillo Lopez said he needed to “hide” and that “if I go easy, you’re gonna take me.” This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with valuable assistance provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa.