San Diego activist who pulled down federal agent’s face mask sentenced in assault case

A San Diego activist who pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor assault count for pulling an HSI agent’s mask off in Linda Vista during an immigration enforcement operation was sentenced Thursday to 45 days of home detention.

Jeane Wong, 56, was among a group of people arrested at a Linda Vista apartment complex on July 2, where federal agents had taken a Guatemalan man into custody.

A video recorded at the scene captured Wong and others arguing with agents from opposite sides of a stretch of police tape.

At one point, an agent put his hands on Wong, and she pulled his mask down. She initially faced a felony assault charge but pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor count earlier this year.

Prosecutors had also charged the Guatemalan man and another protester with assault but dismissed both cases.

Another protester arrested at the scene remains charged, and her case is pending, with a hearing scheduled for next week.

At her sentencing hearing on Thursday in federal court, Wong said the agent grabbed and pushed her just before she pulled his mask off.

“I acted in confusion, not malice,” said Wong, who said she was “prepared to take responsibility for that moment.”

Her plea agreement states that Wong “struck” the agent in the face, though Wong’s attorney, Hector Tomayo...