A Mexican national, Cristian Geovanni Rojas Benitez, 37, has been indicted for allegedly using a motor vehicle to assault and interfere with a federal agent in Pennsylvania. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
According to the indictment, on June 23, 2025, Rojas Benitez used his pickup truck during an encounter with a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) who was performing official duties. Federal officers were attempting to locate and detain Rojas Benitez for violating the terms of his release pending removal proceedings.
Court filings state that federal officers surveilled a residence in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. At about 8:30 a.m., an individual matching Rojas Benitez’s description left the house and entered a pickup truck. Officers then conducted a vehicle stop.
Rojas Benitez allegedly refused commands to exit the vehicle or lower his window. The HSI agent moved in front of the vehicle while other officers warned that noncompliance would result in breaking the window. After repeated warnings, an officer broke the rear driver’s side window.
It is alleged that Rojas Benitez then put the truck into drive and drove over the sidewalk toward the HSI agent, who had to push off the vehicle and jump out of its path to avoid being struck. The incident also reportedly involved narrowly missing a passing school bus. Rojas Benitez fled Pennsylvania and was later found by U.S. Marshals Service in Washington, D.C., on July 24.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America, which coordinates Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration and related violent crime through initiatives like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” according to information released by officials.
The investigation involved HSI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Officials emphasized that “the charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.”
