Florida Sheriff Responds to Assault on ICE Agents
A Florida sheriff dispatched a group of deputies to apprehend an individual who allegedly assaulted ICE agents. Officials report that the suspect is a Nicaraguan national illegally residing in the United States.
The incident occurred early Tuesday morning in Lakeland, Florida, where a man with a significant criminal history in Texas violently attacked two ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. After the assault, the suspect fled but was eventually caught by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies following a robbery of a local business.
At a press conference that afternoon, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd discussed the altercation involving the two HSI agents and 21-year-old Dennis Corea-Miranda, confirming that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest related to DWI charges, as well as a prior deportation order from an immigration judge in Galveston, Texas.
According to Judd, the agents had information indicating Corea-Miranda was at a residence in Lakeland. They found him getting into a car with two others that morning. The agents attempted to stop the vehicle on Reynolds Road, aiming to detain him.
Corea-Miranda reportedly tried to flee on foot but was pursued by one of the agents. During the struggle, he resisted arrest, and although he was sprayed with pepper spray, he managed to escape into nearby woods.
After the assault was reported, Judd’s office got a call from dispatch, prompting him to send a “legation” of resources to track the fugitive. Deputies, helicopters, drones, and K9 units were deployed to locate Corea-Miranda.
Local businesses reported sightings of the fugitive, who was hiding near metal barrels. An employee alerted authorities after spotting him. By the time officials arrived, Corea-Miranda had again fled, but shortly afterward, deputies managed to apprehend him without further incident.
Judd expressed frustration that Corea-Miranda had been arrested near the border in California during the Biden administration but was released under the catch-and-release policy. “They gave him a court date and let him go,” he noted.
He also mentioned that, following another DWI arrest in Galveston, the suspect avoided deportation, which contributes to ongoing issues with illegal immigration.
Court records indicate that on July 2, 2024, Corea-Miranda was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated but was released on bond. It remains unclear whether immigration officials acted on his previous DWI charges before the warrant was issued in December 2024.
Interestingly, Corea-Miranda claimed to be a U.S. citizen during his court appearance.
At the press conference, Judd displayed photos of Corea-Miranda smiling alongside county council members, stating that his demeanor would quickly change upon learning about the serious charges he now faces.
The charges against him include battery on law enforcement officers, robbery, and resisting arrest, which are aggravated by his illegal status in Florida. These local charges may be compounded by federal charges as well.
Tuesday’s events highlight a concerning trend of increasing violence directed at federal immigration officers, prompting a statement from DHS Secretary Christy Noem addressing the issue.
It’s been reported that the Trump administration is intensifying efforts against those who attack federal agents. Recently, a California man faced federal charges for injuring a border patrol agent during a protest, potentially facing a maximum of 20 years in prison.
