A Democrat congresswoman is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to face federal charges after allegedly obstructing Homeland Security agents during a chaotic scene at an immigration facility last month.
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) has been indicted on three counts, including forcibly impeding federal officers during the attempted arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at the Delaney Hall immigration facility on May 9.
McIver has stated through her legal team that she intends to plead not guilty.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the incident unfolded when McIver and two other members of Congress claimed they were conducting a “congressional oversight visit” that coincided with an organized immigration protest.
Federal agents said Mayor Baraka was initially granted access to a restricted area but refused to leave when ordered.
When officers attempted to arrest him for trespassing, McIver allegedly intervened physically, placing herself between the mayor and the officers, slamming her forearm into one agent and grabbing another by the arms, using force to block the arrest.
The DOJ notes that the first two charges against McIver each carry up to eight years in prison, while the third charge carries a maximum one-year sentence.
The case is being prosecuted