Two Southern California medical center employees involved in an altercation with federal agents during a July immigration enforcement operation were indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury.
Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, of Highland, and Danielle Nadine Davila, 33, of Corona, face one felony count of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer in the altercation captured on video July 8 in Ontario, about 50 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, two Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were conducting immigration enforcement operations in Ontario when they were following a truck that turned into a surgery center parking lot. Two of the three men ran away and a third, identified by authorities as a man from Honduras who was in the United States illegally, was “partially detained” near the surgery center entrance.
The man pulled way before he fell to the ground with an ICE officers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Ortega and Davila then interfered with the arrest, the agency said.
Video showed the struggle in a hallway just inside the building.
“Ortega and Davila, both dressed in medical scrubs, impeded and interfered with the arrest,” the office said in a news release. “Davila by wedging herself in between the officer and the alien, pushing the officer, and shouting, ‘Let him go!’ and ‘Get out!’ Ortega by grabbing the officer’s arm and then his vest.”
The man was eventually detained by federal officers.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna clarified his department’s limited cooperation with federal immigration officials. Darsha Philips for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on July 17, 2025.
Davila and Ortega were arrested days after the encounter.
They told NBCLA earlier this month that they were doing their jobs when someone ran into their office screaming for help. They said masked men followed, and they later learned the chaotic moments were part of an immigration enforcement operation.
Ortega said staff members were told to ask for identification and a warrant before allowing federal agents into the office.
“In her words, she felt that she did what was right,” said Oliver Cleary, Davila’s attorney. “She’s a mother, a health care worker. She did what any person with a heart would have done.”
A trial date was scheduled for Oct. 6.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.
NBCLA is reaching out to attorneys for the defendants for comment.
In a statement provided after the operation, United States Attorney Bill Essayli said, “This story is another example of a false narrative echoed in the media in furtherance of an agenda to delegitimize federal agents. The illegal alien arrested inside the surgery center was not a patient. He ran inside for cover and these defendants attempted to block his apprehension by assaulting our agents. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you work, if you assault our agents or otherwise interfere with our operations, you will be arrested and charged with a federal crime.”
The ICE operation came after weeks of immigration enforcement operations around Southern California. The Department of Homeland Security has said the operations, including ICE raids, will continue as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation plan, a central promise of his presidential campaign.
Through Aug. 14, more than 59,000 migrants had been taken into ICE detention since the start of President Trump’s second term, according NBC News, which used ICE data both public and internal as well as data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. About 30% of those in detention had criminal convictions; 25% had pending criminal charges; 45.6% were listed as “other immigration violator;” and 11.6% were fast-tracked for deportation.
Earlier in August, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling to maintain a temporary restraining order, granted by a federal judge, over how the federal government conducts immigration enforcement operations in Southern California.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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