Broward man charged with trying to run over immigration agents may also face deportation
A Broward man accused of driving his car at immigration agents who were trying to arrest him last month is nowfacing a federal charge.
Juster Philippe, 22, will remain jailed while the criminal case is pending, a judge ruled Thursday. He is accused of assaulting, resisting or impeding federal agents while they were performing official duties.
One of the agents fired his gun at Philippe’s car during the incident and the bullet hit the front passenger-side door but did not injure anybody, according to court records.
Officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement werewaiting outside Philippe’s home, on Northeast 40th Court in Pompano Beach, at approximately 9 a.m. June 15, investigators said. They were waiting to detain him for possible removal proceedings, records show.
“Philippe’s criminal history included crimes such as robbery and aggravated battery, and he was identified for possible deportation,” investigators wrote in a criminal complaint.
When Philippe came out of his home and got into his black 2013 Honda, four immigration agents in four separate vehicles tried to block his car, they said.
The agents had their emergency blue lights and sirens activated, investigators wrote in court records.
Philippe placed his car in reverse and backed up at high speed directly toward one of the agents, who was standing in the road in his direct path, investigators said.
The agent, “fearing for his life,” fired one round at Philippe’s car and moved out of theway to avoid being hit, he told investigators.
Philippe stopped his car when he was blocked by another agent’s vehicle and was arrested without further incident.
Officials from ICE declined to comment on the pending investigation.
Philippe’s defense attorney, Jim Lewis, said his client was born in Haiti but has lived in the U.S. since he was 5 years old and had legal permanent resident status and a green card. Authorities began potential deportation proceedings against him because he has a 2014 conviction for strong-arm robbery, Lewis said.
Philippe told his attorney that he did not realize hewas dealing with immigration officials, Lewis said: “These were unmarked cars. He thought it was some people who were trying to do him harm.”
Philippe has not yet been formally charged but will remain jailed while the criminal and immigration cases are pending, court records show.
pmcmahon@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4533 or Twitter @SentinelPaula