Cuban National Convicted of Ramming Two ICE Vehicles in San Antonio

A federal jury in San Antonio convicted Robyn Argote-Brooks on two counts of destruction of government property for ramming her vehicle into two Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles.

The conviction, returned May 8, 2026 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, covers separate incidents in which Argote-Brooks, a Cuban national living in the United States, deliberately struck marked ICE vehicles. The jury found her guilty on both counts after trial.

The scope of the damage is limited to the two government vehicles, though the Department of Justice release does not list exact repair or replacement costs. Destruction-of-government-property convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 1361 carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison per count when the damage exceeds $1,000, plus restitution.

The verdict changes the case status from active prosecution to post-conviction proceedings. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Once sentenced, Argote-Brooks will move from pretrial status to serving any term of imprisonment or supervised release ordered by the court.

The Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. Probation Office will assume responsibility for custody and monitoring following the judge's final order.

Downstream, the conviction requires the U.S. Attorney's Office to prepare a presentence investigation report through probation. The court must then hold a sentencing hearing at which both sides can argue for a specific penalty within the statutory range and U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Any prison term will trigger Immigration and Customs Enforcement to initiate removal proceedings after service of sentence, because the underlying offenses qualify as aggravated felonies under immigration law. The case also obligates the agency whose vehicles were damaged to document costs for the restitution judgment that the court is required to impose.

This marks the latest federal conviction obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas in cases involving direct assaults on Department of Homeland Security personnel or equipment. The Department of Justice has pursued similar vehicle-ramming prosecutions against individuals who targeted Border Patrol or ICE assets in Texas border sectors and interior enforcement operations since 2021.