Two staff members at a San Bernardino County surgery center have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assaulting and interfering with U.S. immigration officers during an incident last month in Ontario, California.
Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, of Highland, and Danielle Nadine Davila, 33, of Corona, each face one felony count for allegedly assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer. The case is scheduled to go to trial on October 6.
According to the indictment and court documents, the events occurred on July 8 when two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were conducting roving immigration operations in Ontario. The officers were wearing government-issued law enforcement vests and using an unmarked vehicle while following a truck carrying three men. After the truck turned into the parking lot of a local surgery center and the occupants exited, two men fled from law enforcement.
One man—identified as an illegal alien from Honduras—was partially detained near the entrance before he resisted arrest. Both he and an ICE officer fell to the ground during the struggle. A medical staff member then helped the man up and pulled him away from the officer. The individual entered the surgery center with an ICE officer in pursuit.
Ortega and Davila are accused of further interfering with the arrest inside the facility. According to court records, Davila wedged herself between the officer and the individual while shouting “Let him go!” and “Get out!” She also allegedly pushed the officer. Ortega is alleged to have grabbed both the officer’s arm and vest.
The ICE officer called for backup; upon arrival another agent observed several staff members grabbing his colleague as they attempted to detain their subject. The officers eventually handcuffed him inside before leaving with him.
“An indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted, Ortega and Davila could face up to eight years in federal prison under current statutes.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading this investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Cory L. Burleson from Riverside is prosecuting this case.
