Violent ICE Arrest Leads to Federal Sentence for Hispanic Man Who Overstayed Visa for 4 Years in Massachusetts

• ICE Arrest Turned Violent in Massachusetts
• Direct Assault on Federal Agents
• Prison Sentence and Pending Rearrest

A federal immigration operation in Massachusetts ended with a prison sentence after a Guatemalan citizen, with a criminal record and irregular immigration status, violently attacked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a DEA agent during his arrest.

The case has once again brought attention to the safety of immigration enforcement operations and the federal government’s response to assaults against law enforcement officers.

The individual was sentenced to several months in prison after pleading guilty to physically assaulting federal officers who were attempting to execute a detention for immigration violations.

Violent ICE Arrest Results in Federal Sentence in Massachusetts

A detention that quickly escalated into physical violence

Guido Andrés Alexander Cuellar-Batres, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced on January 12 in federal court to eight months in prison and one year of supervised release for attacking ICE agents during a targeted enforcement operation.

According to authorities, Cuellar had prior convictions for assault and domestic violence against a family or household member.

The incident occurred on May 4, 2025, when ICE agents and other federal partners approached Cuellar’s vehicle and ordered him to exit to carry out the arrest.

The instructions were given in both English and Spanish. However, he refused to exit the vehicle, unlock it, or keep his hands visible.

Due to his repeated refusal and aggressive behavior, agents stated they could not see what he was doing with his hands, which raised immediate concerns for their safety and that of others present during the operation.

Resistance, Biting and Assault on Federal Agents

According to the official report, agents proceeded to remove Guido Andrés Alexander Cuellar-Batres from the vehicle because of his refusal to comply with lawful orders.

At that point, he violently resisted arrest, biting one agent and attempting to bite another. He also repeatedly struck an officer in the head.

The resistance continued even after he was handcuffed.

Cuellar kept struggling as agents attempted to place him in the back seat of the official vehicle. During that process, he headbutted one agent and spat directly into another’s eyes.

Authorities stated that the aggressive behavior persisted throughout the arrest procedure, which aggravated the federal charges against him.

ICE Confirms Rearrest After Sentence

After the sentence was announced, ICE made clear that the immigration process against Guido Andrés Alexander Cuellar-Batres has not concluded.

The acting director of ICE’s Boston Field Office, Dave Wesling, confirmed that the man will be detained again upon release from prison.

“ICE is prepared to arrest Cuellar when he is released from prison,” Wesling said. “He overstayed a nonimmigrant visa for more than four years and has been sentenced for a crime that falls under the Laken Riley Act. When we initially arrested him, he attacked our agents and a DEA agent, and under this administration there is zero tolerance for those who violently assault the brave men and women of ICE Boston who are on the ground working to keep our communities safe.”

Federal Sentence and Possible Maximum Penalties

Cuellar pleaded guilty on October 30, 2025, to assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering by force with federal officers while they were performing official duties.

This offense carries a maximum penalty of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

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In this case, the federal judge imposed a sentence of eight months in prison, along with one year of supervised release after his release.

Federal authorities reiterated that sentences are determined in accordance with United States federal guidelines and applicable laws, and emphasized that any assault against law enforcement officers during official operations will be criminally prosecuted as part of the broader ICE violent arrest Massachusetts case.

SOURCE: www.ICE.gov