A U.S. Border Patrol agent is accused of assaulting police while resisting arrest during an allegedly drunken encounter with officers at a Long Beach restaurant this week, authorities said Friday.
The confrontation took place on July 7 at a restaurant in the city’s Shoreline Village, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Border Patrol Agency Isaiah Anthony Hodgson, 29, was allegedly armed and drunk when police were summoned to the restaurant, according to prosecutors and Los Angeles County booking records.
The encounter
The incident began when Hodgson, who had been drinking, allegedly went into the women’s restroom at he restaurant, “where he approached a female who observed his handgun and firearm magazine,” according to a D.A.’s office statement.
Hodgson left the restaurant after the startled women told the manager she had seen a man in the women’s restroom, armed with a handgun, officials said.
Once outside, a security guard spotted Hodgson holding a firearm magazine in his hand and also noticed a handgun in his waistband, according to prosecutors. The security guard asked Hodgson to leave “multiple times” and told him that guns were not allowed on the property. He did not comply.
Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a report of a person with a gun.
“When they arrived, they reportedly observed Hodgson intoxicated and unwilling to cooperate with their commands as they tried to detain him,” the D.A.,’s office statement said. “As Hodgson resisted arrest, he allegedly became agitated and physical with the officers, injuring one of them.”
It was not clear what type of injury the officer suffered.
Four felony counts, three misdemeanors
The D.A.’s Office formally filed charges against Hodgson on Friday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced.
They included three felony counts of resisting police and one felony count of battery on a peace officer, causing injury. Misdemeanor charges of displaying a firearm in public, carrying a concealed firearm in public and carrying a loaded firearm in public were also alleged.
“It is further alleged that Hodgson engaged in violent conduct while committing the above offenses, indicating a serious danger to society,” according to the statement.
‘No one is above the law’
Hochman said the case was particularly concerning, given the suspect’s position of authority as a federal law enforcement agent.
“The conduct exhibited by Mr. Hodgson, a border patrol agent who has the duty to uphold the law and protect its citizens, is unacceptable and deeply troubling,” he said. “No one is above the law, regardless of their position or badge. Law enforcement officers have a responsibility to always conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism. Our office will pursue prosecution accordingly to ensure justice is served.”
If convicted as charged, Hodgson could face up to seven years in state prison.
He was ordered released on June 9 pending his next court appearance, which was scheduled for July 17, officials said.
In the meantime, he was ordered not to possess any firearms, not to leave California, and to attend at least three alcohol counseling meetings per week as a condition of his release.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Off-duty border patrol agent accused of assaulting, resisting police in Long Beach
Reporting by Brian Day, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
