Johnathan Gomez-Navarrete/Mexico/Assault

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Johnathan Gomez-Navarrete in Caldwell, Idaho. The Mexico national — here illegally — faces charges of assault, unlawful reentry.

Local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities have each opened cases following Gomez-Navarrete’s arrest. The criminal charge will be prosecuted through the state court system, where a conviction on assault charges could carry jail time and fines. Concurrently, a federal immigration court will evaluate whether removal to Mexico is warranted — a determination made independently of any criminal verdict. Gomez-Navarrete now faces legal proceedings on two separate tracks, with both capable of producing consequences regardless of how the other resolves.

Federal authorities have placed Gomez-Navarrete in immigration detention pending the outcome of removal proceedings. A Department of Justice immigration court will determine whether Gomez-Navarrete is deported to Mexico.