An illegal alien was apprehended in Central Florida for interfering with a train and fighting with law enforcement. He struck and kicked a K-9 officer several times and grabbed another officer after being caught.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies recently detained Josue Castaneda-Castro, 38, after a series of disruptive actions near train tracks in Mulberry. Castaneda-Castro, a Mexican national living in the United States illegally, was charged with various counts in connection with the incident.
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Deputies responded to the intersection of State Road 37 South and Railroad Avenue around 10:30 p.m. following a complaint of a suspect interfering with a CSX train. When deputies arrived, they discovered that a railroad conductor was operating the train when a black Chevrolet pickup truck towing a makeshift trailer drove parallel to the tracks. The suspect then crossed in front of the train, causing the trailer to become trapped on the rails and impeding the locomotive’s progress.
According to police, Castaneda-Castro exited the vehicle and confronted the driver verbally. He then removed the trailer from the vehicle and drove eastbound, leaving the trailer behind to block the rails. Moments thereafter, he returned to the scene, attempting to enter the train car while remaining hostile against the conductor.
Deputies arrived on the scene to find the truck and trailer straddling the rails, as well as Castaneda-Castro standing nearby. As they neared, he returned to his car and attempted to reverse toward them. Deputies asked him to depart the car, which he first did, but he refused to answer questions and repeatedly attempted to return to his truck. Deputies reportedly noticed a strong odor of alcohol emanating from the suspect.
When requested to get out of the van for further interrogation, Castaneda-Castro refused and grabbed one deputy’s arm. The deputy used an agency-issued taser, but it was unsuccessful, so the suspect escaped on foot into a forested area.
Additional units responded, including Deputy Sheriff Gann and his K-9 partner, Rone. K-9 Rone successfully tracked down the suspect, who was hidden deep under undergrowth. Rone seized the culprit, but Castaneda-Castro grabbed Rone’s collar and repeatedly punched and kicked the dog, despite authorities’ warnings. He was eventually put into custody.
Further inquiry discovered that Castaneda-Castro’s driver’s license has been revoked since January 2023. He was taken into jail and brought to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He is a Mexican national living in the United States illegally and has already been deported; as a result of his illegal immigration status, all charges were increased by one degree. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was called, and an immigration detainer was put on Castaneda-Castro.
“This individual not only endangered the safety of a train operator and disrupted critical infrastructure, but he also violently resisted arrest and attacked one of our K9s,” said Grady Judd, the sheriff. “He is in our country illegally; his license has been withdrawn, and he is now facing serious accusations. Our deputies did an excellent job of putting this dangerous situation under control.
Castaneda-Castro is facing charges of interfering with a railroad track, interfering with a railroad train, trespassing, battery on a law enforcement officer, striking a police canine, unarmed burglary of an occupied vehicle, driving with a suspended license, resisting an officer without violence, and resisting an officer with violence. According to PCSO, his criminal history includes DUI, no valid driver’s license, and DWLSR.
