HOUSTON, TX– A Houston woman has been taken into federal custody after allegedly attacking law enforcement officers with a machete, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jennifer Jesselle Perez-Rodriguez, 28, has been formally charged with assaulting a federal officer. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo.

The charges stem from an incident on April 17, detailed in a now-unsealed federal criminal complaint. According to the filing, federal agents traveling on Anderson Road in Houston in unmarked vehicles encountered Perez-Rodriguez allegedly walking into traffic while wielding a machete.

Authorities say she began swinging the weapon and aggressively approached two federal vehicles. When one vehicle activated its siren, Perez-Rodriguez allegedly charged toward it, prompting an FBI agent to exit the vehicle and issue verbal commands for her to drop the weapon. Perez-Rodriguez allegedly ignored the commands and continued her approach.

According to the complaint, the agent then discharged his service weapon, striking Perez-Rodriguez. She was immediately transported to a local hospital, where she received treatment.

If convicted, Perez-Rodriguez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.

The FBI is leading the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black is prosecuting the case.

Authorities emphasized that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and Perez-Rodriguez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.