SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors have charged a transgender woman with slashing an ICE van’s tires during a protest outside the Equitable Life Building here.
Angelica Guerrero, 35, was charged with assaulting a federal officer and damaging federal property, both misdemeanors. The criminal complaint alleges that on the morning of Aug. 20, Guerrero approached an unmarked Chevrolet van being used in an ongoing “enforcement and removal” operation by the Department of Homeland Security on the 100 block of Montgomery Street.
Guerrero allegedly slashed the van’s tires and “made repeated threats” against one of the officers, including stating, “I’m going to (expletive) you up” and “I’m going after your family,” as well as threatening to stab the officer, according to the criminal complaint. Agents who arrested Guerrero say they seized a knife, the complaint alleges.
A federal agent pepper-sprayed Guerrero during the incident, the complaint says.
The incident occurred during a protest of ICE, one of many that have occurred nationwide since President Donald Trump ramped up immigration arrests. Points of contention by protestors generally include the use of controversial prisons like Alligator Alcatraz, concerns that detainees aren’t getting due process, and the targeting of immigrants at their places of employment.
In an interview with ABC7, Guerrero said she was detained for a day in Santa Rita Jail, and spent time in a holding cell that was covered in “feces and blood.” Court records say Guerrero was released from jail on Thursday and is next due in court on Sept. 8.
“Those holding cells in Santa Rita Jail are barbaric,” Guerrero told ABC7.