In a federal court in San Antonio, a 26-year-old Cuban from Havana named Robyn Argote-Brooks was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay $9,767 in restitution. The penalty was for crashing into and damaging two vehicles belonging to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an operation in January, as announced by the Department of Justice.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Argote-Brooks to 10 months for each of the two counts of destruction of government property, to be served concurrently. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo three years of supervised release and pay a special assessment fee of $200, along with restitution for the damages.
Details of the Incident
The incident took place on January 13 in the parking lot of a Walmart in northern San Antonio, during an ICE agents' intervention. Argote-Brooks, who was working as a grocery delivery driver for a third-party app, refused to comply with the agents' orders. He reversed at high speed, nearly running over one agent, and struck a federal SUV before accelerating into a government-owned sedan, injuring the agent in the front seat.
The altercation was captured on video, and the footage was widely circulated. Initial damage assessments for the two vehicles exceeded $1,000 each, with a total estimate of $4,847. However, the court later set the restitution amount at $9,767.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Claims
Following his arrest, a formal indictment in February charged the Cuban native with two counts of destruction of government property and an additional count of assaulting a federal officer. In May, after roughly two and a half hours of deliberation, a federal jury found him guilty of the charges related to the vehicles. However, he was acquitted of the more serious charge of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon against a federal official, which could have led to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
The defense, led by attorney Marina Thais Douenat, argued that Argote-Brooks does not speak English and was not given instructions in Spanish during the operation. According to his account, he panicked when surrounded by individuals he claimed did not identify themselves and ordered him out of his car, fearing he was being kidnapped.
Immigration and Background
Argote-Brooks entered the United States in October 2024 through the Laredo, Texas port of entry, using an appointment obtained via CBP One, and was granted parole. The Department of Homeland Security revoked this benefit in April 2025 amid immigration policy changes under the Trump administration, and his defense claimed neither Argote-Brooks nor his father were informed of the revocation.
His lawyer also mentioned that Argote-Brooks had served in the Cuban military for three years and was summoned in 2024 to fight in Ukraine, a situation that prompted his family to seek asylum in the United States.
The judicial process experienced several twists before reaching sentencing. In one of the initial hearings, Argote-Brooks was ordered released to family custody, but federal judge Jason Pulliam later halted his release, demanding the government clarify and provide evidence regarding the defendant’s immigration status.
The Department of Justice presented the case as part of the "Operation Recover America," an initiative by the current administration aimed at enforcing immigration laws and combating transnational criminal organizations and violent offenders.
This case highlights the ongoing complexities of immigration issues. For more on ICE actions, deportations, and related matters, explore our Immigration in the U.S. section.
Key Questions on ICE Vehicle Incident Involving Cuban National
What was Robyn Argote-Brooks sentenced for?
Robyn Argote-Brooks was sentenced for crashing into and damaging two ICE vehicles during an operation in January, resulting in a 10-month prison term and nearly $10,000 in restitution.
What defense did Argote-Brooks's attorney present?
His attorney claimed Argote-Brooks did not understand English and panicked when surrounded by agents who did not identify themselves, fearing a potential kidnapping.
How did Argote-Brooks enter the United States?
He entered the U.S. in October 2024 through the Laredo, Texas port of entry with a parole obtained via CBP One.