A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent appeared in a Los Angeles County courtroom Friday to face felony charges for assaulting a Long Beach police officer and resisting arrest while off-duty and armed with a department-issued handgun.
Isaiah Anthony Hodgson, 29, faces four felony and three misdemeanor charges related to the incident, which happened Monday at Shoreline Village.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Hodgson was drunk inside a restaurant when he followed a woman into the women’s restroom. The woman alerted restaurant management and reported that Hodgson’s firearm and magazine were visible.
He fled the restaurant shortly after and was confronted by a security guard who saw the federal agent carrying his magazine is his hand while his gun was tucked into his waistband. That security guard asked him repeatedly to leave, the D.A.’s Office says.
The Long Beach Police Department was eventually called to the scene, and officers approached Hodgson in the parking lot.
“When they arrived, they reportedly observed Hodgson intoxicated and unwilling to cooperate with their commands as they tried to detain him,” a release from the D.A.’s Office states. “As Hodgson resisted arrest, he allegedly became agitated and physical with the officers, injuring one of them.”
He was eventually arrested and released, and made his initial appearance Friday.
He’s been charged with three felony counts for resisting arrest, one felony count of battery on an officer and three misdemeanor gun charges.
If convicted, he could face up to seven years in state prison.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman called Hodgson’s alleged behavior “unacceptable and deeply troubling.”
“No one is above the law, regardless of their position or badge,” Hochman said. “Law enforcement officers have a responsibility to always conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism. Our office will pursue prosecution accordingly to ensure justice is served.”
Hodgson is due back in court on July 17, and is prohibited from possessing firearms or leaving California, and has to attend at least three alcohol counseling meetings a week as a condition of his release.