Video of Venezuelan Man Tackled by Federal Agents After Being Arraigned for DUI in February Goes Viral

Surveillance footage showing two federal agents tackling a Venezuelan man in a New Hampshire courthouse in February has gone viral, raising new concerns about immigration enforcement tactics in sensitive locations such as courtrooms.

The man, Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, 33, was in court in Nashua, New Hampshire, on February 20 for arraignment on misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence, driving without a license, and leaving the scene of an accident. As he exited an elevator inside the courthouse, he was approached by two men identifying themselves as federal agents (one wearing a sweatshirt labeled "ATF") who attempted to detain him. ATF stanfs for U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The video, which contains no audio, shows Marquez Colmenarez turning away from the agents and attempting to walk out. The agents then pursued him into a nearby lobby, tackling him to the ground. During the arrest, an elderly man walking with a cane was also knocked over and fell to the floor.

Jared Neff, a court liaison officer with the Hudson Police Department, said in an incident report obtained by CBS News that he was in the prosecutor's office when he heard a loud noise and shouting near the elevators.

"There were voices yelling 'Stop!' and then a loud 'bang' which sounded like people had fallen on the ground and were actively fighting and struggling," wrote Neff, adding that he assisted in restraining Marquez Colmenarez because he was resisting arrest. Under current federal policy, agents are permitted to arrest individuals "in or near courthouses" if they have credible information and are not restricted by local law.

The agents told Neff that they had intended to detain Marquez Colmenarez quietly but acted when he tried to flee. According to police, the prosecutor on the case was not informed in advance of the arrest and did not witness the incident. A judge later issued a bench warrant after Marquez Colmenarez failed to appear for his arraignment.

As of April, Marquez Colmenarez remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas, according to ICE records.