My name is Cristobal Maltos. I am an American citizen, born in Chicago, IL and raised in Charlotte, NC. I never imagined I would experience what happened to me on November 17th — an event that has left me physically injured, emotionally traumatized, and struggling to understand why this happened to me in my own country.

What Happened on November 17th

On Monday, November 17th at around 10:00 AM, while driving, masked men blocked the road and boxed me in.

Approximately ten ICE agents surrounded my car, shouting and approaching from all directions. I was terrified and in shock. My car stalled when I accidentally released the clutch — I drive a manual vehicle — but before I could process anything, the agents rushed me.

They broke both front windows, shattered my mirror, dented my door, and used a crowbar to forcefully pry it open. As glass sprayed into my face and eyes, agents reached in and tried to pull me out through the broken window while I was still strapped into my seatbelt. My face, eyes, and body were hit by glass and metal.

When they finally unbuckled me, I told them I had recently undergone surgery and that I was a U.S. citizen. One agent responded, “I don’t care.”

They threw me onto the asphalt, covered in broken glass, causing even more injuries, then dragged me into one of their SUVs. At one point, I was told they were “two seconds from shooting” me.

Medical Trauma and Detention

The force used on me caused injuries that required hospital admission. I had:

Glass in my eyes and on my face

Bleeding knees

Pain and possible reinjury near my recent surgical site

Despite this, I was detained by ICE until 8–9 PM, then transferred to Gaston County Jail, where I was not given medical care or medication. The following morning, at around 7 AM on November 18th, I was released to the U.S. Marshals.

I was then told I would be charged federally for “hitting an agent” with my left mirror — something that never happened. Multiple bystander videos online show the truth: I was surrounded, overwhelmed, and attacked from all sides. I did not strike anyone.

Unanswered Questions

During this entire incident, the agents wore masks, no identifying numbers, and vests that simply said “Police.” There were no clear badges, no names, nothing to identify themselves as federal officers. I had no idea who they really were.

This traumatic experience has left me asking:

Who protects citizens from ICE misconduct?

Are unmarked agents allowed to break into a citizen’s vehicle, cause injuries, and damage property without accountability?

If a U.S. citizen is mistakenly targeted, is “sorry” supposed to be the end of it?

What happens when racial profiling leads to violence and false accusations?

Why am I now facing federal charges for something that videos prove did not occur?

Why I’m Asking for Help

I am currently left with:

Major vehicle damage to brand new Honda Civic Type R

Ongoing pain and trauma

Legal challenges

Emotional suffering

Fear for my safety as a citizen in my own community

I am raising funds to help cover:

Vehicle repair or replacement

Recovery and mental health care

Time lost from work and ongoing instability caused by this incident

To help others who have been harmed from events like these

How You Can Help

Any contribution — large or small — will help me rebuild, heal, and defend myself against false accusations. If you cannot donate, sharing my story would make a tremendous difference.

I am a U.S. citizen who was assaulted, injured, and threatened by the people who are supposed to uphold the law. I am simply looking for justice, healing, and support as I fight to make sure the truth is heard.

Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for standing with me in this difficult time.

Cristobal Maltos