Mexican Alien Sentenced for Assaulting Agent During Arrest

LAREDO, Texas – An undocumented Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for assaulting and injuring the Border Patrol (BP) agent who arrested him, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Roman Sanchez-Rivera, 27, pleaded guilty Feb. 17, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a sentence of 51 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. Citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following the prison term. He was also ordered to pay $21,610.14 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

On the morning of Dec. 1, 2016, BP agents encountered Sanchez-Rivera and other undocumented aliens in the brush near Encinal. The aliens ran from the agents but were soon apprehended. During the arrest, Sanchez-Rivera punched one of the agents in the face causing injuries. He also forced an intense physical struggle which resulted in serious injuries to one of the agent’s knees which required surgery.

Sanchez-Rivera has been in custody since his arrest where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted this case.