A tense arrest in Massachusetts unfolded Thursday, revealing a history of violent acts by Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya, now in federal custody. The confrontation, initially a traffic stop, quickly escalated as authorities attempted to execute an arrest warrant.
The situation began when ICE agents stopped a vehicle carrying Ojeda-Montoya, her husband, and their child. The child was unrestrained, seated in Ojeda-Montoya’s lap instead of a safety seat, adding immediate complexity to the encounter.
Authorities informed Ojeda-Montoya of the warrant and requested her husband, Carlos Zapata Rivera, take custody of their child. A refusal from both parents followed, with both stating a willingness to surrender the child to state custody, a startling declaration that raised immediate concerns.
Zapata Rivera then reportedly experienced a medical episode, prompting a 911 call from the ICE agents. However, he declined medical attention, and officials observed no outward signs of a genuine medical emergency.
The arrest attempt quickly drew a hostile crowd, erupting in a torrent of verbal abuse directed at the officers. Witnesses allegedly unleashed a barrage of obscenities, death threats, and antisemitic slurs, creating a volatile and dangerous atmosphere.
The verbal attacks were intensely personal, including threats against the officers’ families and explicit expressions of hatred. Fitchburg Police were dispatched to the scene to attempt to maintain order amidst the escalating chaos.
The arrest comes after revelations about Ojeda-Montoya’s past. Officials state she repeatedly stabbed a coworker and attacked the same victim with a trash bin during the summer months, painting a picture of a violent offender.
Ojeda-Montoya entered the United States illegally in February 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, and was subsequently released into the country. She now awaits removal proceedings from the Cumberland County Jail in Maine.
Zapata Rivera, also having entered the country illegally on the same date as his wife, was also released. He alleges the medical episode was triggered by physical pressure from the agents, a claim disputed by authorities who cite video evidence of him being coherent shortly after the incident.
Officials emphasize that the narrative of a manufactured medical crisis is false, highlighting the focus should remain on Ojeda-Montoya’s criminal history and the dangerous situation created by her actions and the hostile response from onlookers.
