Mexican National Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Assaulting U.S. Border Patrol Agent

TUCSON, Ariz. – Mario Garcia-Estrada, 26, of Hidalgo, Mexico, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 63 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. Garcia-Estrada previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Assault on a Federal Officer. 

In the early morning of March 4, 2023, Garcia-Estrada illegally entered the United States from Mexico. United States Border Patrol (USBP) cameras spotted Garcia-Estrada near Bisbee, and an agent was dispatched to the area where she encountered Garcia-Estrada hiding. After determining that Garcia-Estrada was illegally present in the country, the USBP agent placed him under arrest, seizing his cell phone and identification. As the agent attempted to place Garcia-Estrada in her patrol vehicle, Garcia-Estrada pushed her to the ground and punched her several times in the face and head before fleeing the scene on foot. A USBP camera operator was able to track Garcia-Estrada, guiding other agents to his location where he was arrested. As a result of this vicious attack, the victim agent suffered a fractured nose and other injuries.

The FBI Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Houston, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-23-00321-SHR-BGM
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-143_Garcia-Estrada

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