Queens Man Going To Prison For Assaulting A Federal Officer

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Adriano Roberto Nunez, 28, of Queens, NY, who was convicted of assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily injury, was sentenced to serve eight months in prison and eight months home confinement U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who handled the case, stated that on June 3, 2019, the defendant was among passengers on a bus traveling from Canada into the United States at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Nunez and other passengers exited the bus at a Customs and Border Patrol checkpoint in the United States for re-entry into the United States.

During a search of the defendant's belongings, a CBP officer found a bag containing gummy candies that gave off an odor consistent with marijuana. While one CBP officer performed a field test for the presence of THC, another officer asked Nunez to place his phone and passport on the table. The defendant placed his passport on the table, however, he did not place his phone on the table, instead Nunez manipulated the phone with his hands. As the CBP officer attempted to retrieve the phone from the defendant, the defendant resisted. After the officer successfully gained possession of the phone, Nunez fled into another area of the building, with officers chasing after him. The defendant fled to an area with no exit, and which point officers caught up with him. Nunez pushed and kicked at least one officer.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.