For presidential primary candidate Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, a dramatic day on the campaign trail unfolded in Nashua, New Hampshire on February 20th. Federal agents wrestled him to the ground when he attempted to leave an elevator in the courthouse. Colmenarez had planned to come and defend against the misdemeanor charges. These include charges of BAC more than twice legal limit DUI and DUS following an auto accident. This episode led to widespread outrage about the behavior of federal law enforcement agencies that occupied the courthouse.
Colmenarez was placed in shackles and brought into the courthouse for his arraignment. Whenever he attempted to leave, he would find himself faced with a powerful barrier. The situation spiraled out of control instantly, with one elderly bystander getting knocked over in the scuffle. Fortunately, the bystander only suffered minor injuries. This act is just the latest in a series of events that have raised alarm about the increasing militarization of our judicial venues with federal agents.
Background on Colmenarez’s Charges
Colmenarez stood accused of egregious charges following a traffic accident that happened on February 9. In addition to driving while intoxicated charges, his reputation was coming under fire. Further, he ignored repeated requests for information following the auto accident. The severity of the charges forced him to commit to appearing before a court of law. There, he was to plead to the misdemeanor charges he’d been charged with.
When Colmenarez attempted to exit the courthouse, he was noticed by federal agents in attendance. These agents were working in close coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agents have recently been actively grabbing people who show up for their court arraignments or hearings.
Broader Context of Courtroom Detentions
Federal law enforcement and prosecutors have a detailed plan to arrest people while they are in court. The crisis with Colmenarez is a great example of that. Only weeks before, on March 31, Wilson Martell-Lebron just went through the same thing in Boston. Martell-Lebron, a longtime US resident originally from the Dominican Republic, went to trial on charges of lying on his drivers license application. Though this trial was ongoing, ICE agents detained him.
The significance of both cases is the heightened oversight and enforcement actions pursued by federal agencies in court. Witnesses at the scene of the shooting of Colmenarez were appalled and concerned by aggressive, typical law enforcement tactics of using overwhelming force whenever possible.
“Unacceptable. That’s all I could think of,” – a witness.
Current Status of Colmenarez
As of this writing, Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez is in detention at the Rio Grande Processing Center in Laredo, Texas. Regardless, his legal circumstances are still very complicated, not least because he’s been criminally charged with bizarrely severe charges that have attracted international media scrutiny and outrage. The recent deployment of federal agents to courthouses has raised important questions about the militarization of our legal system and the impact on those who must pass through it.
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