Rafael Armando Class-Davila Charged with Assaulting Federal Officer

SAN JUAN—On June 19, 2013, Rafael Armando Class-Davila was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Class-Davila was charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon, Title 18 U.S.C. Section 111(a) (b) and intentionally harassing another person and thereby hindering, delaying, preventing, or dissuading any person from arresting or seeking the arrest of another person in connection with a federal offense or attempts to do so, Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1512(d) (3).

A federal complaint states that on June 17, 2013, the FBI San Juan Division SWAT team was traveling southbound on Highway 52. Thereafter, a 2012 blue Jeep Compass driven by Class-Davila pulled into the FBI SWAT convoy between the second and third Chevrolet Suburban.

Class-Davila maintained his position in the convoy and continued to drive at a high rate of speed, ignoring the signal to move aside. Agents proceeded to utilize the public address (PA) system to announce, in Spanish, that the Suburban was a police vehicle and commanded the driver of the Jeep to move out of the way. Agents were forced to reposition the convoy in a neighboring lane as Class-Davila failed to abide by instructions to move.

Agents were able to maneuver the Suburban in front of the Jeep and continued to drive forward with the convoy. Approximately one minute later, Class-Davila swerved in front of the convoy, interfering with operations again. When Class-Davila positioned himself in front of the Suburban, he slammed on his breaks, causing agents to break suddenly to avoid collision.

Class-Davila remained in front of the Suburban and continued to prevent it from joining the convoy. Agents utilized sirens and the air horn, along with the PA system, to announce the vehicle was police and commanded it to move.

Shortly thereafter, the SWAT convoy team began to exit Highway 52. As the Suburban passed on level with Class-Davila, Class-Davila made threatening gestures toward the agents. While making these gestures, Class-Davila sideswiped and scraped the side median that divided the exit and Highway 52. Class-Davila, in spite of the collision, continued to drive down Highway 52.

If convicted, Class-Davila faces up to 20 years of imprisonment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin R. Martin and is being investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.