A Honduran national was taken into custody following a traffic collision involving a federal law enforcement vehicle in Slidell, Louisiana, on Dec. 26, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said the incident occurred after the woman allegedly ran a red light and struck a vehicle operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bovino confirmed the encounter in a post on X, stating that no injuries were reported and that the woman was taken into custody following the crash.
Federal agents were operating in the area as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch, a Department of Homeland Security enforcement initiative focused on illegal alien activity in the New Orleans metropolitan area, according to officials.
In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, said the operation targets violent criminal illegal aliens.
“Catahoula Crunch targets include violent criminals who were released after arrest for home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto and rape,” McLaughlin said.
She added that Department of Homeland Security enforcement efforts in the region have resulted in the arrest of illegal alien drug dealers, hit-and-run offenders, and individuals convicted of violent crimes, including arson and terroristic threats.
Officials did not release the name of the woman involved in the crash or provide additional details regarding her immigration status or potential charges stemming from the incident.
