21-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Customs and Border Protection Officer

TUCSON, Ariz. – Cesar Alejandro Avendano-Soto, 21, of Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury on September 16, 2022. Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2023, before United States District Judge Scott H. Rash.

On March 24, 2020, at the DeConcini Port of Entry, Avendano-Soto struggled with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. During the struggle, Avendano-Soto intentionally threw the officer to the ground resulting in physical injury to the officer.

A conviction for assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Houston, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR21-01527-TUC-SHR(DTF)
RELEASE NUMBER:    2022-158_Avendano-Soto

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