By Steve Neavling
A Southern California border agent who was facing multiple charges for assaulting a Long Beach police officer and resisting arrest has died, according to the Riverside County coroner’s office.
Isaiah Anthony Hodgson, 29, died Friday, two days after appearing in court, NBC News reports. The cause of death remains under investigation. Court records show he had pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including three counts of resisting arrest, battery with injury to a police officer, and several firearm violations. He faced up to seven years in prison if convicted.
The charges stemmed from a July 7 incident in which Hodgson, while off-duty, allegedly entered a women’s restroom at a restaurant and was reported by a patron who saw his gun and magazine. Witnesses said security guards repeatedly told him to leave, but he refused.
“As Hodgson resisted arrest, he allegedly became agitated and physical with the officers, injuring one of them,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at the time. “The conduct exhibited by Mr. Hodgson, a border patrol agent who has the duty to uphold the law and protect its citizens, is unacceptable and deeply troubling. No one is above the law, regardless of their position or badge.”
