Man Sentenced to 12 Months for Assault on a Federal Officer

TUCSON, Ariz. – Manuel Duarte-Ibarra, 32, of Mexico, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez to 12 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Duarte-Ibarra pleaded guilty to one count of Assault on a Federal Officer on July 3, 2024.

On February 21, 2024, near Newfield, Duarte-Ibarra was encountered by a United States Border Patrol agent. When the agent attempted to place him in handcuffs, Duarte-Ibarra jerked his hands away and attempted to run. During a struggle, Duarte-Ibarra kicked the agent in the chest multiple times while they were on the ground. Duarte-Ibarra admitted to agents that he was in the area to illegally transport undocumented noncitizens. Duarte-Ibarra also admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine.

Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Houston, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 24-01307-TUC-AMM
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-141_Duarte-Ibarra

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