A previously deported criminal alien from Mexico assaulted a Del Rio Sector Border Patrol agent during an arrest. The Mexican national with an extensive criminal history was traveling with a large group of migrants near the immigration checkpoint on Highway 57 in South Texas.

A group of Eagle Pass Station Border Patrol agents tracked a group of migrants on May 12, who appeared to be attempting to circumvent the Highway 57 immigration checkpoint. As the agents attempted to take the group of migrants into custody, one began to fight with one of the agents. He struck the agent, according to information provided by Del Rio Sector Border Patrol officials.

The agent fought with the migrant and eventually subdued him — placing him safely in custody. The migrant did not seriously injure the agent.

Agents evaluated the combative migrant and transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Border Patrol officials identified the migrant as a 44-year-old Mexican national. A biometric background investigation, conducted on all migrants place in Border Patrol custody, revealed an extensive criminal and immigration history. His criminal history includes an aggravated felony conviction in 1998 for multiple counts of transporting and selling narcotics, officials reported. A court sentenced the man to four years in prison before Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers deported him in 2000.

“Acts of violence against our agents will not be tolerated,” Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Randy Davis said in a written statement. “This incident is an example of the threats faced by U.S. Border Patrol agents as they work to secure the border.”

The Mexican national is under arrest pending federal charges under 18 USC § 111 – assault on a federal officer – and 8 USC § 1326 – reentry after deportation. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, officials stated.

The other migrants in the group will be processed according to Del Rio Sector guidelines.