
Video shows Venezuelan man tackled by federal agents in New Hampshire court
Video shows Venezuelan man tackled by federal agents in New Hampshire court
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Venezuelan man tackled by federal agents at New Hampshire courthouse
In February, a Venezuelan man was tackled by federal agents when he arrived at a courthouse for misdemeanor charges.
When 30-year-old Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez arrived at the courthouse in Nashua, New Hampshire on Feb. 20, he was set to appear for his arraignment on misdemeanor charges. But on the way to the courtroom, he was taken away by federal agents, missing his arraignment completely.
In a video released by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Colmenarez is seen entering the Nashua Circuit Court, going through security and into an elevator, where he was followed by two men.
One of the two men tapped Colmenarez's shoulder and identified themselves as a federal agent. As Colmenarez tried to leave the elevator, the video shows he was tackled to the ground, knocking an elderly bystander to the ground in the process.
Colmenarez, who was only steps from the courtroom, never made his arraignment and instead, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee locator, is currently being held at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas.
A missed court date
According to the Boston Globe, Colmenarez was being arraigned in court for allegedly driving with a blood alcohol concentration more than twice the legal limit on Feb. 9.
The Globe also said Colmenarez was accused of driving without a license and failing to provide information after being involved in a car crash.
According to a police report written by a Hudson Police Department officer and obtained local news media, agents like the ones seen in the video were working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and ICE to detain people who were showing up to court for either arrangements or hearings.
USA TODAY has contacted the Hudson Police Department for more information. The Department of Homeland Security and ATF Boston did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment on Tuesday.
'Unacceptable': Witnesses describe incident
Witnesses who spoke to WMUR said the altercation was sudden and violent. In the video, an elderly man using a cane was knocked down as Colmenarez was tackled to the ground; the man suffered minor injuries.
"Why is he so violently hustled to the ground the way he was in such an unsafe manner for him and everyone else around him?" the witness told WMUR. "Why? What was the urgency?"
"Unacceptable. That's all I could think of," the witness told WMUR. "I was just so furious. I would not expect this in a courtroom in America."
Others detained in courtrooms
Other incidents like Colmenarez's have recently happened. On March 31, Wilson Martell-Lebron from the Dominican Republic was taken by ICE agents as he appeared in a court in Boston.
Martell-Lebron was on trial for allegedly making false statements on his driver's license application. Witnesses described how plainclothes agents surrounded Martell-Lebron and whisked him away in an unmarked truck.
Days later, Boston Municipal Court Judge Mark Summerville ordered a contempt charge against ICE agent Brian Sullivan, but that charge was dropped by a federal judge on Tuesday.
Contributing: Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

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Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
GOP lawmaker demands accountability for LAPD's delayed response time helping assaulted ICE officers
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tuesday briefing: What Trump's response to the LA protests could mean for US democracy
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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Map and List of Anti-ICE Protests Nationwide Following LA Riots
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Trump and other administration officials have seized on the images of burning cars, graffiti and Mexican flags to bolster their cause, while California sued the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops. Clashes escalated in Los Angeles over the weekend after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people across the city, in areas including the Fashion District and a Home Depot parking lot. On Sunday, demonstrators blocked a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades. Thousands peacefully attended a rally at City Hall on Monday, while hundreds protested outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held, The Associated Press reported. ICE denied these allegations, a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles." Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops into the city as well as 700 Marines, which California Governor Gavin Newsom has blasted as "reckless" and "disrespectful to our troops." Demonstrators gathered at the Texas Capitol on Monday evening in solidarity with those protesting ICE actions in Los Angeles. Law enforcement used tear gas and pepper spray against protesters and at least two people were arrested, KXAN reported. Protesters gathered in Daley Plaza on Monday to demonstrate against ICE raids in Chicago and Los Angeles, ABC7 reported. On Monday evening, protesters also gathered outside the Chicago Police Department's headquarters, accusing the department of helping ICE with crowd control, which the department denies. Dozens of protesters gathered on Monday evening to protest the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, according to Fox4. The demonstration began on the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge before moving to the streets. 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The Trump regime calling in the National Guard is a dangerous escalation to target people who disagree with them. It is a threat to our democracy. The federal government should never be used as a weapon against people who disagree with them." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X late Monday: "Stop the raids. There is a real fear in Los Angeles right now. Parents, workers, grandparents, young people scared to go about their daily lives. We are a city of immigrants. Washington is attacking our people, our neighborhoods and our economy." California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X that the president "is trying to provoke chaos by sending 4,000 soldiers onto American soil. Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable. Stay safe. Stay calm. Look out for one another." President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday: "We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated." Demonstrations against ICE actions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and other major cities in the coming days. Coordinated nationwide protests against Trump and his administration's policies are also planned to take place in cities in all 50 states on the president's birthday on June 14. Related Articles Federal Officers 'Overrun' as Santa Ana Protests EscalateLA's Only Elected Republican Reacts to National Guard Troops, ICE RaidsCalifornia Republican: Gavin Newsom Should 'Absolutely Not' Be ArrestedRichard Blumenthal Reveals Trump 'Martial Law' Fear 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.