The Democratic congresswoman said she plans to plead not guilty and called the case "a brazen attempt at political intimidation."
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury and plans to plead not guilty, according to statements from the congresswoman and the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey.
Why it matters: Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said McIver is facing a three-count indictment for allegedly "forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers," and faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted.
McIver has denied the charges and said in a statement that "the facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation."
She said she plans to enter a plea of not guilty.
State of play: McIver and Reps. Rob Menendez Jr. (D-N.J.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) were involved in a scuffle with law enforcement outside the Delany Hall detention facility in Newark last month.
The incident occurred as ICE officers went to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, with body camera video showing McIver elbowing an officer.
