Argote-Brooks’ father says his son has never been in trouble with the law prior to the Jan. 13 incident.
SAN ANTONIO — A 25-year-old man accused of using his car to ram Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles during a confrontation outside a San Antonio Walmart appeared before a federal judge Tuesday and was released to his father’s custody.
Robyn Argote-Brooks faced a federal judge Tuesday, and the 25-year-old has been released to his father’s custody.
Tuesday’s hearing concluded with the judge questioning how a confrontation on Jan. 13 escalated so quickly and violently.
Prosecutors allege Argote-Brooks, a Cuban migrant, used his vehicle as a weapon, ramming two ICE vehicles during a confrontation at the Walmart near Blanco Road and Wurzbach Parkway. Authorities say the incident occurred as ICE agents were conducting enforcement activity.
Defense attorneys argued that the vehicles seen in the viral video from the scene were not clearly marked as ICE vehicles and questioned whether agents confirmed the license plate and registration before determining there was any wrongdoing.
As part of the hearing, the defense called Argote-Brooks’ father to the stand. He testified that he reminds his son daily to carry his asylum documentation and said his son has never been in trouble with the law prior to the Jan. 13 incident.
No trial date was immediately set. Argote-Brooks remains under conditions set by the court while the case proceeds.