Venezuelan National Unlawfully Residing In The United States Sentenced For Damaging Government Vehicle (Photo) - 09/16/26

PORTLAND, Ore.— Luis Nino-Moncada, 33, a Venezuelan national unlawfully residing in the United States, was sentenced today to the time he has served in custody since January 2026, approximately nine months, and one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $24,413 in restitution for damage to a government vehicle. Nino-Moncada will be deported.

According to court documents, Nino-Moncada entered the United States illegally around October 2022. He was ordered to appear at a removal hearing in Denver, Colorado, on November 21, 2024. Nino-Moncada failed to appear at the hearing and an immigration judge ordered his removal from the United States.

On January 8, 2026, Nino-Moncada drove a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with a female passenger into the parking lot of Adventist Health Portland. After Nino-Moncada parked, a Border Patrol agent parked his government vehicle behind the truck. Border Patrol agents exited their vehicles and surrounded the truck to arrest Nino-Moncada and the passenger because they were unlawfully in the country and eligible for removal.  The female passenger was the primary target due to ties to a trans-national gang Tren de Aragua’s prostitution ring. Nino-Moncada, believing the agents were “ICE” agents, refused to comply with their lawful commands to exit the vehicle. Nino-Moncada instead forcefully drove the truck backwards, crashing into the government car. He then lurched his truck forward into the path of an officer and reversed again, severely damaging the law enforcement vehicle, before fleeing the scene.

As part of his plea agreement, Nino-Moncada admitted that his conduct placed others at risk of serious bodily injury and that he was conscious of or recklessly disregarded that risk. It was only after defendant struck the government car twice, within just a few feet of the officers’ positions, and with one officer in the path of the truck, that a government officer fired two shots at defendant. The car was declared a total loss, and defendant, as part of his plea agreement, agreed to pay restitution of over $24,000.

On July 28, 2026, Nino-Moncada pleaded guilty to the felony charge of depredation of federal property. As part of his plea agreement Nino-Moncada admitted he is subject to an Order of Removal and agrees not to contest his removal or file a habeas petition for release from immigration custody.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations. The United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

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