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| Elias Bautista / FHP |
Florida Highway Patrol, ICE Arrest Man Accused of Assaulting Federal Agent During Orange County Traffic Stop
LEVY COUNTY, Fla. — A Mexican national who authorities say entered the United States illegally has been arrested and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer after allegedly assaulting a federal immigration agent during a traffic stop in Orange County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident began on June 16, 2026, when members of the agency's Criminal Alien Apprehension Team (CAAT) partnered with agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct a traffic stop near Americana Boulevard and Pointe Vista Circle in Orange County.
Investigators said multiple occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot as law enforcement attempted to make contact. An ICE agent pursued one of the fleeing individuals and attempted to take him into custody.
Authorities identified that individual as Elias Bautista, whom investigators described as a Mexican national who had entered the country illegally.
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| Elias Bautista / FHP |
During the attempted arrest, a physical struggle broke out. Investigators say Bautista actively resisted efforts to detain him and allegedly struck the ICE agent during the confrontation. The agent suffered what officials described as a significant head injury before the suspect escaped the area.
Following the incident, investigators from the Florida Highway Patrol's Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence (BCII), CAAT, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) launched a coordinated investigation. Authorities utilized surveillance footage, intelligence gathering, witness interviews, law enforcement databases, and other investigative resources to identify and locate the suspect.
On June 18, investigators tracked Bautista to a location in Levy County. With assistance from the Levy County Sheriff's Office and ICE agents, law enforcement conducted a targeted operation that resulted in his arrest.
Officials said Bautista again resisted arrest before being taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, a felony offense under Florida law.
"Every day, our State Troopers and law enforcement partners demonstrate exceptional professionalism and courage as they carry out their duties to protect the people of Florida," said Dave Kerner. "The incident in Orange County serves as a stark reminder of the dangers all law enforcement face when individuals choose to violently resist lawful authority."
Kerner credited the collaboration between state, local, and federal agencies for the suspect's quick identification and arrest.
ICE officials also condemned the attack.
"Assaults on our officers will not be tolerated," said Matthew Elliston. "Assaulting and obstructing law enforcement officers is a felony, and anyone who does so will be fully prosecuted."
According to ICE, assaults and threats against federal immigration officers have increased significantly in recent years.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Florida Highway Patrol information and photos provided directly to iSkyNews.com.
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Florida Highway Patrol, FHP, ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Orange County Florida, Levy County, Criminal Alien Apprehension Team, CAAT, Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, Aggravated Battery, Federal Agent Assault, Florida News, iSkyNews, Illegal Immigration, Law Enforcement News
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