Customs agent jailed after hitting daughter, choking her boyfriend: Miami-Dade deputies

An U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent landed behinds bars after hitting his daughter multiple times in the head and strangling her boyfriend — who deputies say stepped in to stop the assault — after she was involved in a car crash, according to the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office.

Nelson Perez’s daughter was involved in the crash Monday evening, according to his arrest affidavit, which redacted the location of where it occurred.

Around 6:15 p.m., his ex-wife called to tell him about the accident, and he immediately went to the scene. Upon arrival, he got into an argument with his daughter about the crash and “obeying her parents,” investigators wrote in his arrest paperwork.

The quarrel swiftly escalated when Perez allegedly struck her twice on the left side of her temple and pulled her hair.

Family members tried to separate them, but to no avail At that point, deputies say, his daughter’s boyfriend stepped in, pulling Perez away before walking off.

Per authorities, Perez then chased after the boyfriend, threw him to the ground and got on top of him. Amid the struggle, deputies say Perez choked him.

His daughter threatened to call the police before Perez finally let go and backed away.

“Mr. Perez is a dedicated public servant and father,” his attorney Daniel Grande said in a statement to the Miami Herald.

Deputies say the boyfriend had several injuries, including scratches on his neck and face, a cut on his lip and a bruise on his shoulder. Perez’s daughter was not visibly injured.

Deputies from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office cuffed Perez at the scene. He was questioned but chose not to provide a statement.

He’s charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery and one count of battery by strangulation.

Court records indicate Perez has been released from jail after posting a thousand-dollar bond.

“We urge the public and the press to refrain from rushing to judgment based on unproven allegations and we look forward to vigorously defending Mr. Perez against these allegations,” said Grande.

This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 5:13 PM.