Venezuelan national sentenced for assaulting federal officer in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KYMA) - A Venezuelan national has been sentenced to eight months in prison for assaulting a federal officer in San Diego.

32-year-old Robert Antonio Bastardo Llovera, who was living in the U.S. illegally, pled guilty in court earlier this month after admitting to biting a Customs Enforcement deportation officer on the forearm.

During his arrest for an immigration violation, Bastardo engaged in a five-minute struggle with federal officers.

He was living in the U.S. without legal immigration status and was ordered to be removed by an immigration judge after failing to appear for court last year.

"Our office will continue to prioritize the protection of federal officers engaged in their lawful duties," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

"Assaulting a federal law enforcement officer is a serious offense and any actions that put agents and officers at risk will not be tolerated," said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. "We will continue to hold all individuals who assault law enforcement or interfere with investigations and operations fully accountable."

To learn more about this, read the press release below.