Mexican man charged with assaulting federal officer

LAREDO, Texas – A 44-year-old non-U.S. citizen illegally residing in Laredo has been charged with assaulting a Border Patrol (BP) agent and unlawfully transporting illegal citizens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Authorities arrested Mexican citizen Ever Gordillo-Cardenas Jan. 30.

Originally charged by criminal complaint, he made his first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos Jan. 31, at which time he was ordered into custody pending further criminal proceedings. Gordillo-Cardenas is expected to appear for arraignment on the indictment in the near future.

According to the charges, law enforcement responded to a report of a group of people walking through the brush near La Moca Ranch Jan. 29. At that time, they apprehended three non-citizens while Gordillo-Cardenas allegedly attempted to flee.

A BP agent pursued him, but Gordillo-Cardenas ignored commands to stop, according to the criminal complaint. The agent allegedly drew his taser, and Gordillo-Cardenas went to his knees. However, the charges allege Gordillo-Cardenas threw dirt in his eyes and fled again.

When the agent caught up to the him, Gordillo-Cardenas allegedly reached for the agent’s duty belt and attempted to strike him with his fist.

If convicted, Gordillo-Cardenas faces up to 20 years in prison.

The FBI and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fawcett prosecuted the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law