Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 19-year-old South Texas man has been ordered to federal prison for interfering with officers in the course of their duties.
Diego Masiel Torres pleaded guilty Oct. 29, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Torres to serve six months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court described Torres’ conduct as unlawful towards someone performing their official duties. In handing down the sentence, the court noted his sentence is warranted as no one is above the law.
“There is, at present, an unfortunate belief that the public can freely obstruct law enforcement from carrying out their duties, and do so without consequence. Today’s sentence shows just how mistaken that belief is,” said Ganjei. “If you want to express your disagreement with a particular federal law or policy, there is a right way to do so, and a wrong way — and tangling with the police is one hundred percent always the wrong way. Today, Mr. Torres learned that lesson the hard way.”
“Those who endanger our agents and undermine the safety of our communities will face serious consequences,” said acting Special Agent in Charge John A. Pasciucco of HSI San Antonio. “Interfering with federal law enforcement is a grave offense, and today’s sentencing makes clear that such actions will be met with swift and decisive justice.”
On Aug. 27, 2025, authorities were conducting a consensual worksite enforcement operation in Harlingen. Upon their arrival, several people fled from the area. While authorities attempted to apprehend an illegal alien, Torres attempted to physically interfere by trying to remove the individual from custody and placing the law enforcement officer in a chokehold. Additional agents intervened and subsequently arrested Torres.
He has been and will remain in custody.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney L. Salazar prosecuted the case.
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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Updated January 22, 2026
