Immigration Officer Charged with Assault in Colorado Protest Incident

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer, Nicholas Rice, has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief following an incident during a protest in Durango, Colorado, on October 28, 2025. The protest was organized in response to the detention of a Colombian father and his two children, who were apprehended by immigration authorities while on their way to school. Multiple videos captured the altercation, which involved Rice allegedly placing protester Franci Stagi in a chokehold and throwing her down an embankment.

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During the protest, Stagi, a 57-year-old retired hypnotherapist, was filming Rice as he moved camping gear near the ICE facility. She reported that he struck her hand, causing her to drop her cellphone. When she attempted to get his attention by touching his shoulder, Rice allegedly grabbed her by the hair, placed her in a chokehold, and forcibly moved her across the street before throwing her down an embankment. Stagi has since expressed ongoing physical pain from the encounter, which she described as frightening.

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The charges against Rice are classified as a misdemeanor for assault and a petty offense for criminal mischief. The Colorado Bureau of Investigations initiated an inquiry into the incident at the request of Durango Police Department Chief Brice Current, who raised concerns about potential violations of state law. The prosecution's decision to charge Rice has been met with mixed reactions; while Stagi is relieved that charges were filed, she believes they should have been more severe.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the prosecution, labeling it as "unlawful" and a "political stunt," asserting that federal officers should only be investigated by federal agencies. This sentiment reflects a broader trend where federal law enforcement officers are afforded significant legal protections while performing their duties. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously stated that arrests of federal officers acting within their official capacity would be "illegal and futile," citing the Constitution's Supremacy Clause.

Immigration officer is charged with assault after protest outside Colorado ICE facility, DA says

The incident has reignited discussions surrounding the use of chokeholds and excessive force by law enforcement. Following the deaths of Eric Garner in 2014 and George Floyd in 2020, many states, including Colorado, have enacted laws to limit or ban chokeholds. Colorado's legislation, passed shortly after Floyd's death, aimed to address concerns about police conduct and has been part of a larger national discourse on police reform.

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Critics argue that the charges against Rice are insufficient given the severity of the allegations. Stagi has voiced her disappointment regarding the nature of the charges, emphasizing the need for accountability among immigration officers to prevent excessive use of force. The case also highlights ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding the prosecution of federal agents.

Immigration officer is charged with assault after protest outside Colorado ICE facility, DA says

Rice is scheduled to appear in court on May 27, 2026, to face the charges. The outcome of this case may have implications for future interactions between federal law enforcement and state authorities, as well as for ongoing discussions about police reform and the treatment of protesters in the context of immigration enforcement.

Colorado Newsline