Tucson Man Charged with Alien Smuggling, High Speed Flight, Assaults on Federal Officers, and Firearm Offenses

     TUCSON, Ariz. – Roberto Ramirez, 21, of Tucson, Ariz., was arrested on Dec. 24, 2017 and subsequently charged by complaint with multiple offenses, including transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury, high-speed flight from a border patrol checkpoint, assault on a federal officer, and use of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.

     The complaint alleges that Ramirez arrived at the Border Patrol checkpoint on I-19 near Amado while transporting two suspected illegal aliens.  When agents referred Ramirez for further inspection, Ramirez fled from the checkpoint and drove northbound on I-19 at a high rate of speed.  Several border patrol agents pursued Ramirez in their vehicles.  During the pursuit, Ramirez fired several gunshots at the agents and attempted to ram their vehicles.    Ramirez eventually lost control of his vehicle and crashed.  One of Ramirez’s passengers was ejected during the crash and suffered serious injuries. 

     At the initial appearance/detention hearing held today, the court ordered that Ramirez remain detained in custody.

     Several of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. 

     A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Border Patrol. The prosecution is being handled by Liza M. Granoff and Matthew C. Cassell, Assistant United States Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER:                   Mag#-17-MJ-06045M

RELEASE NUMBER:           2017-126_Ramirez

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az

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