Skip to main content
Press Release

Alabama Man Pleads Guilty In Connection With Assault Of U.S. Border Patrol Agents Near Langtry, Texas

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

Incident resulted in the deaths of two area residents and serious injury to a third

David Steiner, a 39–year-old Vinegar Bend, AL, resident faces 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felony assault of a U.S. Border Patrol agent announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Rodolfo Karisch, Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent, U.S. Border Patrol.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge Collis White in Del Rio this morning, Steiner pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer by using a deadly or dangerous weapon.  By pleading guilty, Steiner admitted that on May 25, 2012, he used his vehicle to charge at three Border Patrol agents near Langtry, Texas, during an attempt to avoid potential detention after fleeing from a traffic stop near Comstock, Texas. 

As a result of Steiner’s actions, the agents were forced to drive off the paved roadway to avoid being struck by Steiner.  Agents gave chase and the pursuit continued toward Sanderson, Texas.  The pursuit ended when Steiner hit an oncoming vehicle killing two occupants and gravely injuring the driver. 

Steiner, who has remained in custody since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:00am on December 17, 2013, before United States District Judge Alia Moses.

This case was investigated by agents with the Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kinney County Sheriff’s Office, Terrell County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Assistant United States Attorney Ralph Paradiso is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Updated December 15, 2014