(WNY News Now) – A 28-year-old Honduran man has been arrested and charged after authorities say he resisted apprehension and bit a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement action in Niagara Falls.

Esli Osman Diaz-Bejarano, 28, a native of Honduras, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Authorities said U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents encountered Diaz on St. Joseph Road in Niagara Falls on September 2 during an immigration enforcement action.

According to the complaint, agents attempted to interview Diaz, but he fled on foot. Agents then attempted to take him into custody.

Authorities allege Diaz resisted efforts to restrain him by repeatedly pulling his arms away. He was eventually brought to the ground, where officials said he bit an agent on the left wrist.

The agent suffered a bleeding laceration and was treated at DeGraff Memorial Hospital, according to federal prosecutors.

Diaz appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was ordered detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol.

The criminal complaint is an allegation. Diaz is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.