A Chicago federal grand jury indicted a 21-year-old man for allegedly using his SUV as a weapon against a federal immigration agent during a law enforcement operation in October 2025, and the case now faces federal prosecution.
A federal grand jury in Chicago has returned an indictment accusing Diego Emmanuel Reyes, 21, of using a deadly or dangerous weapon — his vehicle — to assault a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer during Operation Midway Blitz. The indictment charges him with assaulting, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with a federal agent while the officer was performing official duties. The case was filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
According to the indictment, the incident occurred on October 4, 2025, on the Southwest Side of Chicago when Reyes allegedly rammed his sport utility vehicle into the rear of the agent’s car. Prosecutors say that after the initial impact Reyes accelerated, pushing the agent’s vehicle forward and creating a dangerous situation for the officer. Video of the incident can be viewed here.
The charges reflect an enhanced penalty because a deadly or dangerous weapon was used; the indictment states the offense is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. An arraignment in federal court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled. The use of a vehicle in an assault case elevates the legal exposure and means federal prosecutors will likely pursue the case vigorously.
ICE had been focusing enforcement activity in Chicago as part of broader operations, and the announcement follows community and law enforcement attention to recent violent incidents. The agency’s activity in the city came after a separate fatal drunk driving crash that killed a woman named Katie Abraham, an event that underscored concerns about public safety and immigration enforcement. Local and federal authorities say operations like Midway Blitz aim to address violations while maintaining public order.
The indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. Those officials emphasized the seriousness of the alleged attack and framed it as an assault on both an individual agent and the rule of law. Federal leaders described the alleged conduct as brazen and dangerous, warranting a formal criminal response.
“What this defendant did on October 4, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, during Operation Midway Blitz was a dangerous and brazen act of violence against a federal agent as well as an attack on the rule of law,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Federal agents perform risky, essential work every single day to enforce our federal laws and keep our communities safe. The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will never tolerate such conduct and will continue to hold accountable those who seek to assault, impede, intimidate, or interfere with lawful federal operations. I applaud our federal prosecutors and the federal agents and supervisors with the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for having the fortitude, determination, and grit to see this important case through the grand jury, where it can now be adjudicated to its fullest in a court of law.”
The government is being represented in the prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn McCarthy. Public filings include an indictment document titled Reyes Indictment by scott.mcclallen that outlines the charges and the factual allegations against the defendant.
“The Chicago Field Office has zero tolerance for anyone impeding federal officers engaged in their lawful functions,” said FBI SAC DePodesta. “The people of Chicago deserve to be safe and free from harm. The FBI is committed to using every available resource against those who undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the peace in our community.”
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not proof of guilt; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. As the case moves through the federal system, scheduled hearings and any additional filings will provide more detail on the government’s evidence and the defense response. Observers say this prosecution will test how federal authorities handle alleged attacks on officers during enforcement operations.
