Florida anti-ICE agitator faces up to 20 years in prison after attacking state troopers

The Florida anti-ICE agitator who was arrested for assaulting a Florida Highway Patrol trooper during an immigration enforcement operation has pleaded guilty to a felony charge and now faces up to 20 years in prison.

41-year-old Jennifer Susan Cruz entered a guilty plea to assaulting officers engaged in an immigration enforcement operation. The incident occurred in January when immigration officers, assisted by the Florida Highway Patrol, conducted an operation in Jacksonville targeting individuals believed to be in the country illegally. Officers were conducting a traffic stop when Cruz drove by and began recording on her phone.

A trooper approached Cruz and informed her that while recording police activity is permitted, using a phone while driving violates traffic law. Cruz proceeded to make inflammatory remarks during the encounter and questioned whether the officer supported the “NAZIs,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Cruz was asked to provide her driver’s license, but did not have it on her and instead showed a photograph of a license that authorities determined had been suspended the previous year. A tow truck was called to impound her vehicle.

Cruz then attempted to drive away, prompting troopers to box in her vehicle. She then exited the car but refused to surrender her keys and told officers she was “ready to go,” meaning she was willing to fight. Cruz struck a trooper in the face and attempted to kick officers while being restrained and taken into custody.

She now faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison following her guilty plea, according to the Department of Justice.