A Colombian national is facing up to 20 years in prison after allegedly breaking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer’s nose during an attempted arrest in Roselle, New Jersey back in February during an enforcement operation.
The 27-year-old man, identified as Hector Villegas-Alvarez, was approached by ICE agents who had determined he was unlawfully present in the United States and subject to deportation.
According to an official statement by the New Jersey Attorney’s Office, Villegas-Alvarez exited his vehicle when ordered to do so but physically resisted arrest, locking his arms and tensing his body when officers attempted to apply handcuffs.
I hate it, and it isn’t right, but that’s how The System always starts its negotiations. Amp up the charges to 11, throw in a bunch of “stretch goal” charges, and panic the defendant into taking a deal. From the defendant’s side of things, why risk 20 years of your life in prison for something you mostly aren’t guilty of, when they’ll accept a plea that will allow them to look both tough and merciful (and clear their name of all wrong doing) and only cost the defendant 3 years of probation and time served?