Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has reported that federal agents were following Nicaraguan national Denis Corea Miranda when a traffic stop led to a struggle, injuring an officer. The altercation, which authorities said lasted around five minutes, required a significant response from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Helicopters and K-9 teams reported to the scene, and Miranda now faces multiple charges.
Judd said federal agents had an outstanding deportation warrant for Miranda and located him at a vehicle, where the struggle began. A second federal agent used pepper spray, and an injured agent sustained a shoulder injury requiring hospital treatment.
Judd said, “A five-minute fight is a long time.” He added, “He was significantly injured… it shouldn’t have happened.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reportedly set a perimeter and deployed aerial and K-9 units after federal agents lost sight of Miranda. Authorities said a nearby business employee later found him hiding among steel drums.
Judd said two other vehicle occupants cooperated with law enforcement and were transferred to federal custody. He listed multiple Florida charges against Miranda—elevated due to his immigration status—including battery on a law-enforcement officer, resisting with violence, resisting without violence, false imprisonment, and burglary of an occupied structure.
Judd said Miranda previously encountered U.S. authorities, including a Border Patrol stop and a July DUI arrest in Galveston. He allegedly failed to appear for a subsequent court date.
Judd said, “Had this guy been dealt with correctly… none of this would have happened.” He stated, “To my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve had an ICE agent injured in the line of duty, and he was significantly injured; he had to go to the hospital.”