NEW YORK
A federal judge sentenced a Dominican national, Monday, to three years and nine months in prison, according to prosecutors.
On the morning of March 3, 2019, deportation officers from the ICE Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) New York Field Office attempted to arrest Christopher Santos-Felix, 29, at his residence in the Bronx, officials stated.
Court documents show that Santos-Felix was initially cooperative as the deportation officers attempted to take him into custody.
However, after the officers removed his handcuffs to allow him to put on an article of clothing, Santos-Felix pushed an officer before running into a bedroom.
The fugitive operations team members followed him into the bedroom where he became assaultive and combative.
During the commotion, Santos-Felix bit off the tip of the ring finger of one of the officers attempting to restrain him.
The deportation officer was treated at a local hospital for his injuries, and returned to full duty, several weeks later.
Upon the completion of his federal prison sentence, ICE will take custody of Santos-Felix to begin removal proceedings. Santos-Felix’s aggravated felony conviction for assault on a federal officer makes him a priority for removal.
Santos-Felix entered the U.S. legally, as a visitor for pleasure in June 2015, but failed to depart within the time allowed for his legal visit.
He was convicted in 2016, in New York for driving while intoxicated.
In September 2018, Santos-Felix was arrested and charged in New York for third-degree assault and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation – apply pressure.
On the day of that arrest, ICE lodged a detainer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), but the detainer was not honored, and he was released from NYPD custody.