by Jacksonville, FL – A 40-year-old woman accused of attacking a Florida state trooper during a confrontation involving federal immigration agents was arrested Tuesday morning, prompting a sharp warning from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said the state will not tolerate violence against law enforcement.
Jennifer Cruz was taken into custody outside Mi Pueblo, a Mexican grocery store and meat market in Jacksonville, after allegedly jumping out of her vehicle and punching a trooper in the face while officers were assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during an operation.
Arrest During ICE Operation
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the incident unfolded as state troopers worked alongside ICE agents in the area. According to authorities, Cruz exited her car and immediately confronted officers.
“Jennifer disagrees with immigration enforcement and decided to commit a few felonies by getting out of her car and punching a trooper in the face,” Uthmeier said in a statement posted online.
He added that Florida would not tolerate such behavior, warning that those who assault officers will face serious consequences.
Witness Describes Escalating Scene
Video recorded by Mi Pueblo owner Juan Alvarez shows officers pinning Cruz to the pavement before placing her in handcuffs. Alvarez said the situation escalated quickly as federal and state agents carried out their enforcement activity.
“ICE agents showed up with the state trooper. They detained a driver — the person was driving — and they had an operation going on,” Alvarez said in an interview with News 4 Jax.
He explained that a second detention led to an altercation, which rapidly drew additional law enforcement resources.
“It turned violent, and that led to the presence of a lot more police and federal enforcement showing up,” Alvarez said.
Violent Resistance Caught on Video
Additional video circulating online shows Cruz kicking and screaming as officers attempted to place her inside a patrol car. In the footage, she can be seen laughing, taunting police, and shouting insults, including calling one officer a “weak-ass motherf–ker.”
At one point, Cruz appears to lie back in the rear seat before suddenly lunging forward and kicking an officer who was trying to restrain her.
“Don’t you dare start kicking me!” one officer is heard warning.
Officers then deployed a Taser to gain control and secure her inside the vehicle. Even after the door was shut, Cruz allegedly continued to kick the cruiser’s roof and a camera mounted inside the back seat.
Charges and Court Date
Cruz was booked into the Duval County Jail on multiple charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting officers with violence, and threatening harm to officers, according to jail records.
She was later released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4.
Authorities have not reported any serious injuries to the trooper involved in the confrontation.
DeSantis Issues Blunt Warning
Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the arrest Thursday during a news conference in Jacksonville, using the incident to issue a broader warning to those considering interfering with immigration enforcement.
“This is not Minneapolis. This is not going to end well for you in Florida,” DeSantis said.
He emphasized that while peaceful protest is protected, violence is not.
“You have a right to go out there and criticize government policy. You can go out there and protest within respected zones,” DeSantis said. “But the idea that you’re going to assault one of our troopers is unacceptable, and you are going to face consequences as a result of that.”
Broader Public Safety Context
Law enforcement officials stress that interfering with active police or federal operations can quickly escalate into dangerous situations, placing officers, bystanders, and suspects at risk. Florida law imposes enhanced penalties for assaults on law enforcement officers, particularly when violence is involved.
Officials also reiterated that disagreements with government policy must be expressed through lawful means, not physical confrontation.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jennifer Cruz highlights the legal risks of confronting law enforcement during federal operations and underscores Florida’s hardline stance on assaults against officers. As the case proceeds toward court, state leaders say the message is clear: protest is permitted, violence is not.
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