FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TUESDAY - MARCH 4, 2008

ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING AT POLICE OFFICER

NEW BERN - United States Attorney George E. B. Holding announced that in federal court Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a convicted felon, to 33 months’ imprisonment. HERNANDEZ, an illegal alien who had previously been deported from the United States, was arrested on July 19, 2007. On that date, an off-duty Raleigh Police Officer, working security at El Deso nightclub located at 7429 Capital Boulevard, observed shots being fired out of a white cargo van. The officer pursued the van, the van stopped and HERNANDEZ fired shots in the officer’s direction. A .389 Taurus semi-automatic handgun was found inside the vehicle. HERNANDEZ was arrested at the scene.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson served as prosecutor for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.