An Ocean County man living in the country illegally has been charged with assaulting and injuring a federal immigration officer after allegedly striking the agent with a van while fleeing an attempted stop by immigration authorities, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Eduardo Cruz Garcia, 39, of Barnegat Township, appeared Tuesday before a federal magistrate judge in Trenton and was ordered detained pending further proceedings, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.

Prosecutors allege Cruz Garcia assaulted a federal officer while the officer was performing official duties and caused bodily injury — a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to court documents, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were conducting an investigation Monday when they stopped a white van driven by Cruz Garcia. Federal authorities said multiple agents wearing vests identifying them as “ICE Police” surrounded the vehicle and asked Cruz Garcia and a passenger to roll down the windows, but they refused.

Instead, prosecutors allege, Cruz Garcia accelerated the van while an ICE agent was standing beside the vehicle, striking the officer and pinning him between the van and an ICE vehicle.

The agent fell to the ground “yelling in pain,” according to the complaint. Prosecutors said Cruz Garcia continued driving, struck another ICE vehicle and fled the scene.

The injured agent suffered injuries to his thigh and shin and was taken to a hospital for treatment, authorities said.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer condemned the alleged assault.

“As alleged, the defendant weaponized his vehicle and conducted an egregious assault on a federal law enforcement officer during the course of his official duties,” Frazer said in a statement. “Law enforcement must be able to carry out their duties without fear of obstruction or even worse, assault.”

FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy called assault on a federal officer “a severe and significant violent crime,” while Arthur J. Wilson Jr., acting field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Newark, said violence against federal law enforcement officers “will not be tolerated.”

The FBI led the investigation, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Suggs is representing the government.

A criminal complaint is an allegation, and Cruz Garcia is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.