Honduran national detained after dragging ICE officer during arrest, authorities say
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer was injured after trying to arrest an undocumented immigrant living in Oklahoma City.
Jose Melgar-Rivas was taken into ICE custody Tuesday after a traffic stop.
An affidavit details federal deportation officers pulling Rivas over near Northwest 23rd and Meridian, ordering him to get out of his van.
Rivas refused, and when the officer tried grabbing his arm, Rivas became combative.
The driver-side door closed, pinning the officer to the car.
Rivas then tried driving away, dragging the officer along the road, injuring the officer's left elbow, left hip, and both ankles.
U.S. Senator James Lankford applauded the officers and their efforts.
"We pray for his recovery and we are grateful that this person has now been arrested. Clearly, this person is a threat to society. So I'm glad that they're able to arrest him and to be able to detain him, to be able to protect all of us," Sen. Lankford said.
News 4 went to Rivas' home to speak with his family. They did not want to do an on-camera interview, but allowed us inside to share more about him.
They say Rivas is a father of six, fleeing Honduras for a better life in America, escaping abuse from gangs and drug cartels.
One of his daughters telling News 4, "My dad isn't a criminal, he was just on his way to work."
Rivas' neighbors were also in shock hearing about his arrest.
"I feel like he's a great dad, he's always out here with his son. He gives my son and his son popsicles, they go to the swimming pool. He watches them at the pool, he always speaks to me every time he sees me. I've never, ever had any problems with him," the neighbor said.
"The Western District. U.S. Attorney is going to prosecute them to the full extent of the law," Sen. Lankford said.
Senator Markwayne Mullin sent a statement to News 4 about Rivas' arrest.
Attacks on our brave ICE agents have skyrocketed 830% since January, and this recent arrest in OKC underscores this issue remains close to home. However, these attacks will not stop our brave men and women in blue from doing their jobs and enforcing the law. More help is on the way. Passing the One Big, Beautiful Bill was critical to make President Trump’s historic border security efforts permanent. Our much-needed legislation supports the Trump administration’s historic deportation operations by giving ICE and CBP the tools to execute their mission and keep Americans safe.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin
News 4 asked why the arrest involved agents from Dallas. We were told the Dallas bureau oversees the Oklahoma City and Tulsa divisions.
ICE Dallas' Public Affairs Officer, Dexter Henson, confirmed this afternoon, Rivas was ordered to leave the country in 2020, but never did.
Henson also confirmed Rivas does not have a criminal background.