San Diego, California – A confrontation that unfolded in the midst of an immigration arrest near Mission Bay has now led to a federal sentence, closing a case that underscores the risks faced by officers carrying out enforcement duties.
Robert Antonio Bastardo Llovera, a 32-year-old Venezuelan national living in San Diego, was sentenced in federal court to eight months and two days in custody after admitting to assaulting a federal officer. The conviction stems from an incident that occurred on July 15, 2025, when authorities attempted to detain him for an immigration-related violation.
According to court records, what began as a routine arrest quickly escalated. Bastardo resisted officers, triggering a struggle that lasted several minutes. During that confrontation, he bit an Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer on the forearm. The altercation, though brief in time, carried serious legal consequences.
Earlier this month, on March 3, 2026, Bastardo entered a guilty plea, acknowledging his actions during the arrest. His immigration history had already drawn federal attention prior to the incident. He had been residing in the United States without legal status and had previously been ordered removed by an immigration judge on June 10, 2025, after failing to appear in court.
Federal officials emphasized that assaults against law enforcement personnel remain a priority concern. U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated that protecting officers engaged in their lawful responsibilities continues to be a central focus for prosecutors. The message was echoed by Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, who stressed that any actions endangering officers will be met with accountability.
The charge brought against Bastardo, assault on a federal officer under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. While the sentence imposed falls well below the statutory maximum, it reflects the seriousness with which such offenses are treated in federal court.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel F. Casillas and Loren G. Renner. It also forms part of a broader federal enforcement framework under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, which targets criminal organizations and unlawful activities connected to immigration and cross-border crime.
Though the physical encounter lasted only minutes, its aftermath has stretched across months of legal proceedings, culminating in a sentence that federal authorities say reinforces a clear boundary: interference with law enforcement, particularly through violence, carries lasting consequences.